It is a 6-stage, 38.6 kilometer race from Miyagi Track and Field Grounds to Sendai City Hall.
On the first Sunday of November, the men compete in the 8 stage, 106.8 kilometer National Collegiate Ekiden Championship in Aichi and Mie Prefectures.
Other teams must qualify in a series of June track meets featuring 10,000 meter races.
Kanto Region qualifier The 2011 (43rd) race featured defending national champion and course record holder Waseda University and Izumo winner and eventual Hakone Ekiden winner Toyo University.
Toyo University's anchor Ryuji Kashiwabara almost made up the 1:40 deficit over 19.7 km but came up half a minute short - English meet summary.