What Is the New Year Ekiden?

The New Year Ekiden (実業団対抗駅伝競走大会 / Jitsugyōdan Taikō Ekiden Kyōsō Taikai), officially known as the New Year Ekiden for Corporate Teams, is Japan's premier road relay race for corporate running clubs. Held every year on January 1st, it marks the very first sporting event of the Japanese new year and draws one of the largest domestic television audiences of any annual athletic competition.

The race is organized by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) and takes place on a course running from Gunma Prefecture's Kusatsu Onsen to the city of Maebashi — a total distance of approximately 100 kilometres, split across seven relay legs.

A Brief History

The New Year Ekiden traces its roots back to 1957, when Japan's post-war corporate boom was producing a generation of company-sponsored athletic clubs. Corporate teams — known as jitsugyōdan — became the backbone of Japanese long-distance running, providing athletes with stable employment while maintaining elite training environments.

Over the decades, the race evolved from a regional competition into a nationally televised spectacle, with coverage beginning in the 1980s cementing its status as a New Year's Day tradition for millions of Japanese families.

The Race Format

The New Year Ekiden consists of seven legs, each assigned to a different runner on each team. The legs vary considerably in distance and difficulty:

  • Leg 1 (第1区): The opening leg, typically flat and fast, setting the early race tone.
  • Leg 2 (第2区): One of the longer legs, often decisive for overall positioning.
  • Leg 3 (第3区): A mid-race leg featuring changes in elevation.
  • Leg 4 (第4区): A shorter leg, sometimes used for developing runners.
  • Leg 5 (第5区): Another key leg covering significant ground.
  • Leg 6 (第6区): The penultimate leg, often where teams make decisive moves.
  • Leg 7 (第7区): The anchor leg, finishing in central Maebashi amid fan celebrations.

Competing Teams

Entry to the New Year Ekiden is restricted to qualifying corporate teams from Japan's elite business-sponsored running clubs. Teams such as Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Konika Minolta, and SGH Group represent some of the most storied names in the competition. These organisations invest significantly in their athletic programs, recruiting top university graduates and even international talent to strengthen their squads.

Why It Matters

For Japanese running fans, the New Year Ekiden is more than a race — it is a cultural institution. It signals the beginning of a new year, celebrates teamwork and endurance, and showcases the very best of Japan's deep long-distance running tradition. The event also serves as an early-season form guide, giving coaches, analysts, and fans a first look at which corporate teams and individual runners may be in form for the rest of the competition calendar.

How to Watch

The race is broadcast live on NHK and Fuji TV in Japan. International viewers can often access NHK World streaming, and highlight packages are typically available on official Japanese athletics federation channels. Many overseas Japanese running fans follow the event closely through social media updates and fan communities.