Skip to main content

Tokai University Head Coach Morozumi Calls for Hakone Ekiden Finish Line to Move to Tokyo Dome

In comments on Jan. 22, Tokai University head coach Hayashi Morozumi, 51, revealed that he considering making a proposal for the finish line of the Hakone Ekiden to be moved from its current location in front of the main offices of sponsor Yomiuri Newspaper Group in Otemachi Ward to Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo Ward. "Having the finish at Tokyo Dome would allow more people to watch the race and welcome each school's runner home, increasing the excitement level," explained Morozumi. "With the number of fans packed into the current finish area there are too many issues with traffic and other problems."

Given that it is around 2 km from the Yomiuri Newspaper Group's head offices to Tokyo Dome, under "The Morozumi Proposal" it would be necessary to increase the distance of the anchor stage. Additionally, because the level of Tokyo Dome's fiberglass roof is adjusted in response to changes in air pressure there are times when entrance and exit doors cannot be opened, creating potential technical problems surrounding athletes' use of its facilities. "I would like to hear a variety of opinions on this idea," said Morozumi.

Four-time Hakone champion Aoyama Gakuin University's head coach Susumu Hara, 50, commented, "I think it's very interesting. It's certainly worth everyone involved discussing together."

source article: http://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/etc/20180122-OHT1T50322.html
translated by Brett Larner
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most-Read This Week

Australian YouTuber Handed Lifetime Ban by Ageo City Half Marathon After Running 1:06 with Another Runner's Bib (updated)

After discussion with their race's chief JAAF referee, on Nov. 27 the organizers of the Ageo City Half Marathon handed down a lifetime ban from their event against 36-year-old Australian Matt Inglis Fox  for running the Nov. 15 race wearing the bib number of another JAAF-registered runner. The incident came to light after Fox posted on his personal Instagram account that he had run a PB of 1:06:33 and finished 203rd in Ageo with a 10 km split of 31:03, along with photos and video of himself in the race wearing a bib number beginning with 11. Fox did not appear in the results by name or in that time or place, the closest match being a 1:06:54 gross, 1:06:50 net finish time with a 31:21 10 km split for 18th place in the JAAF-registered division and 209th overall by bib number 1129, registered to a non-Japanese Tokyo-resident club runner. The club runner, Harrisson Uk , readily confirmed that he had given his bib to Fox, saying, "I gave my number to Matt. It wasn't me."...
82 comments
Read more

Nat'l University Ekiden Updates Here

Looks like I just went over my update limit on Twitter - sorry, it's the first time I've tried to use it for this. I'll look for another option next time. In the meantime I'll add updates to the comments below. Not sure if that has a max too but I guess we'll find out. Update: Part one of the Nationals commentary can be found here .
77 comments
Read more

Keita Satoh Running New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile

1500 m U20 NR holder Keita Satoh (Nike Swoosh TC) is running this weekend's New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile , the first time that a Japanese man has been invited in the race's 45-year history. In university Sato had to change focus away from middle distance to the half marathon-scale lengths of the Hakone Ekiden stages, but since graduating in March and relocating to Flagstaff he has refocused on the 1500 m, going from 3:43.19 in April in his first 1500 m in almost 4 years to 3:38.30 over the course of 5 races. Fifth Avenue will be his last race before heading back to Japan for one more track 1500 m and some down time. Men's entries with best 1500 m times in last 3 years: Stefan Nillessen (NED) - 3:29.23 (2025) Flavien Szot (FRA) - 3:30.74 (2025) Oliver Hoare (AUS) - 3:31.07 (2024) Jake Heyward (GBR) - 3:31.18 (2026) Titouan Le Grix (FRA) - 3:31.46 (2026) Romain Mornet (FRA) - 3:31.62 (2025) Adam Spencer (AUS) - 3:31.83 (2026) Pieter Sisk (BEL) - 3:31.85 (2025) Gary Martin (...
2 comments
Read more