The All-Japan Interprefectural Ekiden Championships are two annual ekiden (road running relay) competitions between the 47 Prefectures of Japan. The championships are both held in January and are divided by gender. The Empress Cup - Interprefectural Women's Ekiden is held in Kyoto on the third Sunday in January.[1] The Interprefectural Men's Ekiden is held in Hiroshima in recent years on the fourth Sunday of January.[2]