On Jan. 2nd and 3rd the Hakone Ekiden will celebrate its 100th running. The race has become a part of the New Year's tradition, and its broadcast produces extremely high ratings. Asked in a poll by the Asahi Newspaper whether they plan to watch the 100th edition, over 70% of 2,878 respondents answered yes. At the same time, when asked whether they wanted to cheer in person along the course, almost as many people answered no. Spending the New Year's holidays watching the race on TV seems to be the majority preference. Questions asked in the poll and top responses:
Do you plan to watch the Hakone Ekiden?
71% - yes
29% - no
Among people who responded yes, why will you watch?
・It's a New Year's tradition. - 1406 people
・I like the team aspect of the ekiden as a sport. - 924 people
・Collegiate athletes competing from the heart moves me. - 865 people
・My alma mater or another university I like is running. - 553 people
・There's nothing else to watch. - 403 people
・The scenery along the course is beautiful. - 228 people
・I enjoy the commentators. - 103
Among people who answered no, why not?
・I’m not interested in ekidens. - 485 people
・It's too long. - 320 people
・All the universities in it are from the Tokyo area. - 151 people
・There's another show I want to watch. - 125 people
・I don't like the commentators. - 84 people
・I'm going to pay my respects at a shrine. - 64 people
・Guests are coming for New Year's and I'm too busy. - 60 people
Among people who answered yes, which stage are you most looking forward to?
・5th Stage (20.8 km uphill from Odawara to Lake Ashi in Hakone) - 1412 people
・10th Stage (23.0 km anchor stage from Tsurumi to finish in Otemachi) - 1052 people
・6th Stage (20.8 km downhill from Lake Ashi in Hakone to Odawara) - 791 people
・2nd Stage (23.1 km from Tsurumi to Totsuka) - 586 people
・1st Stage (21.3 km from start in Otemachi to Tsurumi) - 563 people
Among people who answered no, what do you plan to watch instead?
・A drama show - 326 people
・A comedy or variety show - 318 people
・A documentary - 262 people
・I don't watch TV - 167 people
・A music show - 159 people
・Other sports - 98 people
・Other - 67 people
Among people who answered yes, what other ekidens do you want to watch this season?
・New Year Ekiden corporate men's national championships - 974 people
・National Men's or National Women's Ekiden - 922 people
・National High School Ekiden - 899 people
Among people who answered yes, if you could watch in person along the course, would you want to?
66% - no
34% - yes
source article:
translated and edited by Brett Larner
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