New Year’s drama started. Last year's champion Aoyama Gakuin University got to the top in the outgoing race this year. One corner of the winning candidate, Yamanashi Gakuin University got 16th in the outgoing race after a stall in one section. Although the first section Ueda, and second Nyairo was expected to lead the first place by 2 section, Ueda was sent to five section, instead of him Ito who is the first experience of Hakone Ekiden, in the 4th grade was devoted to the district, and he became 20th place in disappointment. Well then no matter how hard 2nd Nyairo tried, they could not do anything. Though the players are appointed by the director's thinking, the players do not necessarily run as the director thinks. The athletes have each conditions at just these big race and it is Hakone Ekiden that does not go as expected, so I guess it is interesting. I think that the athletes who have been training for one year for this day, did their best well. I hope they would hard work no to have regret for their return race tomorrow.