Toyota 58th annual Ekiden - 2006

An Ekiden is a long distance relay race. They are popular in Japan, and Toyota runs a very competitive employee ekiden each year. Teams come from plants all over Japan and also from Toyota locations all over the world. Toyota Australia (TMCA) sends a team each year.

Ekiden reminds me very much of the Peruvian Chasquis. When I was in Peru as a student I ran in the inter-school Chasqui race, (essentially an Ekiden) and loved the concept of the event but I spent the day in bed with the flu while Pam went out to support her teams.

The morning started with the Opening Ceremony. The cheerleaders kicked things off. They did a great job considering everyone else was rugged up to fend off the freezing cold.

The torch relay.

Lighting the Ekiden Flame.

Let the games begin!

The race begins. 285 teams from Japan and overseas affiliates (inc. Australia, France, Turkey, Thailand & USA).

The Ekiden is primarily a roadrace. Here is one of my colleagues, Yuri Sonehara (in the pink), tackling one of the hills.

The first runners really outdid themselves. The guy lying down in pain is a perfect example of how the runners gave their all. He stayed there in that positiion for at least 15mins.

Change-over was a bit crazy at time.

The officials did a great job in keeping the runners in order, considering the number of people gathered around the change-over point.

Most of the TMC (Toyota Japan) had cheer squads. Their routines were often elaborate and they seemed to have put in just as much preparation as the runners.

Michaelpam.com

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Toyota 58th annual Ekiden - 2006