Hakone Ekiden: You Tube: The Enjoyment of Running in Japan!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB67rHOQ-K0

I love this video of the Hakone ekiden. What I really like about it is the sportsmanship the friendship among all the runners from the teams as they talk to each other in the waiting or warm up areas where the relay exchanges are. This just shows that sports doesn't have to be an all or nothing situation. You can show kindness, friendship, and sportsmanship and still get out there to run your best. We need to see videos like this in this difficult time.

What it is also shows that as the runners are preparing and or finished, except for a few, they are smiling and happy and enjoyed the pursuit of doing their best. It also shows is that it is not a win or nothing situation that the media and all make it out to be. The athletes themselves, in the heat of the battle, have a completely different perspective than what the rest of us think.

I think what is very interesting, those teams that did not finish in the top ten of course have to try and qualify next October to run Hakone again. But, for the most part, they don't look devastated or totally unhappy. They gave their best, the enjoyment of running. They will try again to qualify next October, if all is OK, considering the present situation. They are probably again, for the most part, feel fortunate to have been able to run Hakone. For most it is their one and only chance.

Yes there is the occasional crying here or there, either from the idea they didn't run their best and or didn't help the team win or place in the top ten. Also the idea that maybe they had the chance to run Hakone and maybe it is their last time doing it.

Also there are maybe 50+ teams in the Kanto area, as only 20 can run it. So they maybe are very grateful to have had the chance to run Hakone, once in their running life.