The FT Nikkei UK Ekiden is back for its second edition on 20th June, bringing together elite athletes, university teams, and corporate runners for a one-of-a-kind long-distance relay inspired by Japan’s iconic ekiden format.
Spanning 70 miles (114 km), the race follows a scenic route from Windsor along the Thames Path to Reading and back. Each of the 31 teams, made up of 10 runners, will pass a traditional tasuki sash—used in Japanese relay races—rather than a baton, celebrating the cultural roots of the event while testing team endurance and strategy.
The UK Ekiden made history last year by introducing competitive university ekiden racing to the UK, with the University of Oxford clocking a winning time of 7 hours and 48 minutes. They return this year to defend their title against strong competition from 15 other university teams, including the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. Several student athletes taking part are seen as future Great Britain prospects.
In a show of international camaraderie, Ritsumeikan University, Japan’s leading women’s ekiden team, are flying in to compete with some of their top runners.
This year’s event is sponsored by ASICS, the global sports brand, whose support highlights the growing international appeal of ekiden and its potential to connect cultures through sport. As part of the ASICS corporate team, two of Britain’s top endurance athletes—Eilish McColgan and Beth Potter—will be racing. McColgan is a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic silver medallist, while Potter, a 2016 Olympian in athletics, was crowned World Triathlon Champion in 2023.
With its unique format, competitive field, and blend of cultural traditions and elite sport, the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden promises to be a thrilling and memorable event for participants and spectators alike.
