noun
long-distance relay race
Abbreviation of 駅伝競走. Refers to a road relay race, especially the famous Hakone Ekiden. Each runner covers a leg of the course.
See also: 駅伝競走
箱根駅伝は毎年正月に開催される。
The Hakone Ekiden is held every New Year.
彼は駅伝の最終走者に選ばれた。
He was chosen as the final runner for the relay race.
noun
Historical use referring to the relay system of horses and stations in old Japan. Rare in modern conversation; mainly encountered in historical contexts.
江戸時代の駅伝制度は、幕府の重要な通信手段だった。
The ekiden relay system of the Edo period was an important means of communication for the shogunate.