Emperor's Cup 32nd National Inter-Prefectural Men's Ekiden Championship

About this event

The "Emperor's Cup National Inter-Prefectural Men's Ekiden Championship" (commonly known as Hiroshima Men's Ekiden) was founded to foster and strengthen domestic middle- and long-distance male track and field athletes, and to promote the sport of ekiden road relay racing. The inaugural race took place in 1996 in Hiroshima, an International Peace Culture City. From the 5th edition (2000), it adopted its current course starting and finishing in front of Peace Memorial Park, linking UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine. Starting with the 15th edition (2010), the Emperor's Cup has been awarded to the winning team. With the participation of all 47 prefectures, this event aims to foster and strengthen Japan's male middle- and long-distance athletes and promote road relay competition. The course departs from in front of Peace Memorial Park, proceeds west along Peace Boulevard and Miyajima Kaido, turns around east of JR Maezo Station (Ono, Hatsukaichi City), passes through Peace Boulevard and Jonan-dori, and finishes in front of Peace Memorial Park, spanning 7 stages and 48.0 km. Eligible competitors must be registered with the Japan Association of Athletics Federations for fiscal year 2026, hold Japanese nationality, and have been born on or before April 1, 2013. Working adults and university student runners may also compete specially for the prefecture where their junior high school or high school was located under the "Hometown System." Teams consist of a total of 13 members: 1 director, 2 coaches, and 10 competitors, and must include at least 3 Junior (A) runners and at least 2 Junior (B) runners. The competition will also be broadcast on television and streamed online.

Venue

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima 730-0811