第3回大会出場チーム

The FT Nikkei UK Ekiden has two categories of runners, ‘Racers’ and ‘Runners’. ‘Racers’, the more competitive team, feature top runners from universities across the UK. ‘Runners’ include corporate-sponsored and community teams.

The Racers 大学対抗部門

ラフバラ大学　Loughborough University second place 2025
St Mary’s University – third place 2025
リーズ大学　University of Leeds
エクセター大学　University of Exeter
バーミンガム大学　University of Birmingham
ケンブリッジ大学　Cambridge University
ロンドンカレッジ大学　UCL
エジンバラ大学　University of Edinburgh
オックスフォード大学　University of Oxford Winners in Year 1 (2024)
カーディフ大学　Cardiff University
ニューカッスル大学　Newcastle University
バース大学　University of Bath
ダラム大学　Durham University
キングスカレッジ King’s College
ブリストル大学 University of Bristol

The Runners 企業対抗部門

The Runners category will feature corporate and community teams.

If you are interested in sponsoring the race and entering a team, please contact us.

Get to know the teams

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS

By Rhys Hardman

Leeds University is a team that prides itself on collective strength, trust, and belief rather than individual glory, which is why the UK Ekiden suits us so well. Last year’s fourth-place finish showed we belong among the very best universities in the country and left us hungry to push on and compete for medals.

Despite graduating half the team, Leeds’ depth is a real strength: we’re cutting a large, high-quality squad down to a final 10, with fierce competition for places and BUCS XC set to be a key decider.

We already have outstanding athletes confirmed, including Harry Hewitt, who ran the fastest leg at the 2024 Junior Men’s National XC Relays and a 3:45 1500m as a first-year; Moli Lyons, a 2023 GBR international who placed 31st at the European Cross Country Championships; and Sarah Coutts, a British senior indoor finalist with multiple BUCS top-10 finishes and a member of a National Cross Country winning team while studying in France.

Backed by exceptionally strong alumni connections and support from past and present athletes, we believe Leeds can line up united, carry the tasuki with pride, and perform at the sharp end of the race.

UCL (University College London)

By Akira

Taking part in the UK Ekiden was certainly the biggest highlight of last year, alongside BUCS XC, and we were proud to finish above and have good competition with some of the biggest names in the UK university long-distance scene.

Our goal this year will be to equal or improve our finishing position from last year, with our new rapid teammates, as well as ones who have raced last year but improved since then. Also, we are excited to see which ASICS athletes will be in attendance at the event!

As the team captain, I am from both Japan and the UK, and watching Hakone ekiden has been part of my New Year’s routine even before I realised it. I know how big the race means to the athletes back in Japan, and I’m sure UK Ekiden will continue to grow in its competitiveness over the years!

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

By Stanley Clarke

The University of Birmingham Athletics & XC Club is excited to compete at this year’s UK Ekiden, and we’re keen to put together a strong team for the race. After competing over the past two years, we’re targeting our best finish to date and building on what we’ve learned.

Events like this are exactly what the sport needs, and bringing university athletes into the mix only adds to the atmosphere and competition. See you in June along the banks of the Thames. Up the BUAC.

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

By Liam and Caitlyn

Taking part in the Ekiden relays means a great deal to our team. It’s not just about speed or strength, but about coming together to create a space where every member can contribute, thrive, and feel part of something bigger.

The relay format captures what we love most about running: shared effort, mutual support, and the chance to create memories that go far beyond times or distances. Being part of Ekiden is more than just competing; it’s about embracing the collective journey, strengthening our team bonds, and celebrating the joy of running alongside hundreds of like-minded people on race day.

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER

By Charlie and Jamie

Taking part in the UK Ekiden 2025 was a genuinely special experience for our team, and we are looking forward to the event becoming part of our racing calendar for many years to come. For many of our athletes, this is an invaluable opportunity to be treated like an elite athlete. With the atmosphere of the event, to the competition and the wide range of networking opportunities – the experience was incredibly motivating and meaningful for everyone involved.

The mixed relay element has been one of the biggest positives, strengthening our sense of unity as a team in a unique opportunity that sees every team member be equally important. With Exeter being a non-funded university team, the UK Ekiden gives us an exciting opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the country, as well as giving our athletes the chance to learn from high-ranking employees for those thinking beyond life at university.

We’re incredibly grateful to be involved and are really looking forward to fight for our place on the podium in June!

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY

By Guy Greene

We’re hugely excited for the chance to mix it with the very best, as Newcastle University Athletics and Cross Country has been on a clear upward trajectory over the past five years and sees the Ekiden as the perfect stage to announce ourselves among the country’s top endurance programmes. This will be our first year competing in the UK Ekiden, and we’re proud to represent the North East’s rich endurance running heritage while writing a fresh chapter for the club. Our squad is a strong and committed group of around 50 athletes who train together weekly, with recent momentum including an 8th-place men’s team finish and promotion in our local cross country league. Key athletes set to feature include Chris Choulson, one of the North East’s standout prospects after winning the North Eastern XC Championships and running 29:35 for 10km, Luke Davis, whose consistent progression points toward a low-14-minute 5k this summer, Ben Hodgson, and Ava Leadbetter, who leads our women’s team after a sensational 19th at the BUCS XC champs and a 2025 season that saw her break 35 minutes for 10km at the Telford 10km.

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

By Benedict Westhenry

The University of Bristol is very excited to make our debut appearance at the UK Ekiden in 2026. We enjoy competing with the other top University endurance setups in the country, and it’s fantastic to have another opportunity to do this beyond BUCS in such a unique event.

Leading our charge are our recently crowned BUCS XC bronze medallist Joe English, BUCS 10000m 4th placer Steven Denby, multiple BUCS steeple chase finalist Alex Stewart, English schools finalist Maddie Johnson and Millie Watkins. They are backed up by strong depth following the 11th-place team finish for the 2nd consecutive year at BUCS XC for the men and previous top 12 finishes for the women.

Participation is exclusive to university teams and sponsor companies. Please note spaces are limited.

If you are a University running team, please note that teams have now been selected for Year 3.
If you are a business that would like to enter a team into the UK Ekiden, please note that a minimum sponsorship cost applies. If you would like to enter a team and discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email us at info@ukekiden.com.