The second leg, aptly referred to as the "Blossom Leg", of the annual Hakone Ekiden - a prestigious university ekiden relay race in Japan - has just begun. Teams from different universities across Japan compete in this long-distance relay race that spans over two days. Hakone Ekiden, often viewed as the nation's biggest sporting event, has a significant impact on the participants' athletic careers and university pride.

The Hakone Ekiden is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. Started in 1920, it's considered a major event in the Japanese sporting calendar and is watched by millions every New Year. It invokes a deep sense of pride and camaraderie among participating universities. Runners are often viewed as national heroes, and their performances can greatly affect their future careers.

The Hakone Ekiden is akin to popular college sporting events in the US such as the NCAA basketball tournament. Just like how teams compete for their universities' pride in the basketball championships, athletes run for their universities in this long-distance relay race in Japan. However, unlike American sports, ekiden is broadcasted nationwide and is viewed by a higher percentage of the population.