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Mt. Fuji University Women's Ekiden Confirmed, Will Be Held Without Spectators



Running in the foothills of Mount Fuji to lay claim to the title of best university women's team in the country, the organizing committee of the Mount Fuji Women's Ekiden invitational national championships announced that they intend for this year's race to go ahead as scheduled on Dec. 30 with carefully prepared coronavirus countermeasures in place.

Covering 43.4 km in seven hilly stages starting at Fujisan Hongu Sengen shrine and ending at Fuji Sports Park Field, the Mount Fuji Women's Ekiden brings together 24 of the best university womens teams and select teams from across the country every year.

As conditions for the race to take place, there must not be a government-declared state of emergency, and the municipal governments of host cities Fujinomiya and Fuji must both give their consent. Neither any team that has had an athlete or staff member test positive for COVID-19 within a week before the race nor any team with a suspected infection on the day of the race will be allowed to participate.

To comply with government guidelines, cheering along the course and public entry to viewing stands will not be permitted. The opening ceremony will not be held, and teams will be required to use taxis to move around instead of the usual busses.

source article:
https://www.sankei.com/sports/news/200917/spo2009170029-n1.html
translated by Brett Larner

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