EN_GB 
JA WINDSOR (20 June 2025) Japanese university Ritsumeikan wins the second FT Nikkei UK Ekiden after a 114 km battle with 15 of the best UK university endurance running teams, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Edinburgh University and Loughborough University.
While it was last year’s winners, the University of Oxford, that ultimately crossed the line first with a time of 6:53:50, they were disqualified for not making the Tasuki handover within the designated area. Loughborough University and St Mary’s were second and third, often at times, in a tense battle behind the leaders in 29-degree heat.
While officially the University of Oxford were disqualified, they were awarded a special prize for their enormous effort and teamwork by the organisers.
A quote from Anna Dingley, the race organiser, “This year’s competition was fierce. Every team put in blistering performances in the challenging heat, and we couldn’t be more impressed by the runners’ endurance and teamwork. Well done, everyone! We’re excited to see how this race continues to grow amongst universities and corporate teams here in the UK”.
The 114km long-distance relay began and ended in Brocas Field, Windsor, following the Thames Path to King’s Meadow in Reading and back. In total, thirty-one teams – 15 top UK university athletics squads, 1 guest team from Japan and 15 corporate teams – competed in the challenge, with each team of 10 runners passing a traditional Japanese tasuki sash in place of a baton.
The tasuki represents the shared endeavour of each team and the interconnectedness of the runners. Each member doesn’t just pass a sash; they pass on the responsibility, the trust, and the spirit of the team to the next runner. This tradition harks back to the origin of Ekiden, inspired by the communication system of old Japan, where messages were relayed over distances by multiple runners.
Supported by Financial Times and Nikkei, the race seeks to shine a light on university team running and deepen people-to-people links between the United Kingdom and Japan through the shared joy of sport. It also offers a unique opportunity for British participants and spectators to experience the traditions and values of Japanese running culture. The collaborative ethos embodied in the ekiden format is at the heart of the event, celebrating teamwork and the collective achievement of a shared goal.
New sponsors for Year 2 include ASICS, Japan Airlines, Suntory Global Spirits, SMBC Group, and Maurten, highlighting the event’s growing appeal and the commitment of leading Japanese and global brands to fostering UK-Japan sporting and cultural ties. Returning sponsors include Arcus Investment, Daiwa Capital Markets, and Momiji Charity. Other teams in the ‘Runners’ category featured the Ekiden Story Tellers – a media team, a Japan-UK State Visit Legacy Team, the RAF and Kagoshima prefecture “Satsuma” – UK 160 anniversary celebration team.
The event was made possible by a small but dedicated team behind the UK Ekiden, and local volunteers who supported logistics, route marshalling and community engagement. Local residents along the Thames Path, also joined the festivities, turning out to cheer runners and create an atmosphere of support and celebration throughout the day.
Notable participants this year included British Olympians Eilish McColgan and Beth Potter, both internationally celebrated long-distance athletes. McColgan is a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic silver medallist. Potter, who represented Great Britain in athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympics, went on to become World Triathlon Champion in 2023.
John Ridding, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Times, said: “This year’s FT Nikkei UK Ekiden was a brilliant sporting spectacle. It was even bigger and better than the inaugural race. It was inspiring to see both the student and professional athletes from across the UK and Japan compete in such tough conditions. The Financial Times and Nikkei are even more excited about the future of this event“.
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