Regulation of Ekiden

Today, I talk about regulation of ekiden. First, I want to talk about what kind of sport ekiden is simply. Ekiden is team sports and this is track and field event like a relay race. Relay runners hold a baton in their hand and they pass the baton to next runner. On the other hand, ekiden runners sling a tasuki over their shoulder and they pass the tasuki to next runner. Tasuki is cloth in the shape of ring. Furthermore, relay runners run short distance. For example, they run 100 meters and 400 meters. But ekiden runners run long distance. When elementary students take part in ekiden, they run about 1 kilometer. But in most cases, ekiden runners run more than 3 kilometers. In case of Hakone ekiden, they run about 20 kilometers. Briefly, ekiden runners run long distance and they pass the tasuki to next runner and they run toward the finish line.

Second, I want to talk about regulation of ekiden decided by JAAF. JAAF is short for Japan Association of Athletics Federations. This association established in 1925 and it accepts Japanese record of track and field. It also decides regulation. According to its regulation, first, if runners run a crossing, they must keep left. If they can run right side, they can run a shorter way. Second, if runners can’t run, director or the persons concerned must carry them the left side of the road because they may disturb others. They run about 20 kilometers an hour. So, if they collide with people, both of people probably injure. Third, if runners can’t run, the records of their team are invalid. Ekiden is team sport. So, not carrying tasuki to goal is the same as DNF (Did Not Finish). Fourth, if runners arrived at relay station too late, they must start without waiting before runners. I think this regulation is convenience of the host organization.  The first place team sometime has a lead of 30 minutes. So, the host organization has difficulty in the management each of relay stations. And spectator may feel boring to see not changing standing. Not passing the tasuki to next runner is really humiliating. If runner starts without waiting before runner, the record of the relay exists. But they didn’t carry tasuki to goal. I think it is kind of a stop. Maybe most of people think too. So, runners make effort not to stop the race. Fifth, the persons concerned must not touch their team’s runner even if they help runner who can’t run normally. This is very difficult problem. Runners are sometime dehydrated. They want to run and pass the tasuki to next runner. But the persons concerned want not runner to run because runner may collapse. They also want runner to pass the tasuki to next runner. They are faced with a dilemma. They must get their ideas in shape.

These are part of the regulation. Other regulations are more detail. If you watch ekiden, I recommend you to look ekiden other point of view. For example, runner start without waiting before runner.