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JA Discovering the Spirit of Ekiden: How Japan and the UK Inspire Each Other Through Running
By Mikio Sugeno, Managing Executive Officer and Chair of Editorial Board, Nikkei Newspaper Inc
The brief but brilliant English summer was in full glow, bathing runners, supporters, and organizers alike in warm sunshine. Along the Thames — from Windsor, with its royal castle gleaming on the hill, to the university town of Reading and back — the second UK Ekiden unfolded with greater scale and depth than its debut the year before.
This year, I once again joined the joint Nikkei–Financial Times team, co-sponsors of the event. I’d run the opening leg in 2023; this time, I was entrusted with the final, tenth section — a fitting finish to a race that fuses two proud running traditions.
A Meeting of Two Running Nations
Japan, the birthplace of Ekiden, where Shiso Kanaguri dreamed up the now-legendary Hakone road relay, and Britain, the land that gave us Sebastian Coe and Paula Radcliffe — each has shaped the global running culture in its own way.
The UK Ekiden began as the vision of race founder Anna Dingley, who wanted to “bring the spirit of the Hakone Ekiden home to Britain.” What started as an ambitious idea has grown into a beautiful cultural exchange — a celebration of teamwork, endurance, and shared passion.
The Night Before the Race
On June 19, the evening before the race, university teams from across England, Scotland, and Wales gathered — joined by Japan’s own Ritsumeikan University — for a pre-race ceremony to receive their sashes (tasuki). Under tents at the relay exchange zones, clusters of athletes in vibrant uniforms mingled, laughed, and traded stories.
Rebecca Flaherty, who ran the seventh leg for Oxford University, reflected on that night: “I usually compete as an individual, but being part of a team — and building friendships with runners from other universities — was a wonderful experience.”
A New Kind of Relay
Two of Britain’s elite athletes also shared what makes Ekiden special: Beth Potter, bronze medalist in the women’s triathlon at the Paris Olympics, and Eilish McColgan, ninth in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo Games.
Potter said, “It’s truly special to see a sport so deeply rooted in Japan being held here in the UK.”
McColgan added, “We have sprint relays in Britain, but nothing like this for distance runners. It’s not about who’s fastest on their own — it’s about how fast you can be as a team. That’s such a unique concept.”
Race Day: Heat, Heart, and Drama
When race day dawned, southern England was sweltering — over 30°C, an almost unheard-of heat. At the tenth exchange point, we watched Oxford and Ritsumeikan battle neck and neck, separated by just 25 seconds. Oxford pulled away in the final stretch, but a technical error — passing the sash outside the designated zone — led to their disqualification.
Still, Ritsumeikan’s victory shone undimmed.
Women’s long-distance captain Maiko Tsuchiya said joyfully: “The men’s comeback in the second half gave us such energy. When you have a game changer mid-race, that’s when Ekiden becomes powerful. Because it’s a Japanese tradition, we really didn’t want to lose — and I want to pass that spirit to our juniors.”
Her coach, Kenichi Sugimura, offered a thoughtful perspective: “In Japan, races are often too well-organized. Abroad, things are different — you might share rooms or have sudden schedule changes. Those experiences outside your comfort zone make you stronger back home.”
Learning from Each Other
Perhaps once upon a time, Japan’s races were also run over rugged, uneven ground. Today, even in Ekiden’s homeland, everything is so meticulously prepared. Yet here in Britain, amid the unpredictability of nature, Japan might rediscover something it once had — the raw joy of running as a team through the open air.
The Finish Line
As the slowest member of the Nikkei–FT team, I held off the chasing pack thanks to my teammates’ efforts, securing second place in the runners’ division. I’ll never forget the smiles of my colleagues waiting for me at the finish line, with Windsor Castle shining in the background.
That moment — and the tasuki that connects one runner to the next — embodies what makes the UK Ekiden so special. I hope this relay of friendship and discovery continues to grow, touching the hearts of runners not only in Japan and the UK but around the world.
The Will to See It Through: The UK Ekiden
By Yasuhito Hirota, Chairman & CEO of ASICS Corporation
On June 20 — the day before the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere — I had the privilege of taking part in the UK Ekiden, a long-distance relay race held in England.
The event began last year thanks to the passion of Anna Dingley, a true friend of Japan. Inspired by the powerful tradition of Japanese university ekiden races, she dreamed of bringing that same spirit of teamwork and perseverance to the UK.
The race stretches 114 kilometers, connecting Windsor and Reading along the Thames, with ten runners per team handing the tasuki sash from one to the next. This year, 31 teams took part — 16 university teams, including Cambridge, Oxford, and Ritsumeikan University from Japan, as well as 15 corporate and community teams.
The route follows beautiful riverside trails through the English countryside. Few sections are paved, giving it the feel of a trail run rather than a road race. And unlike in Japan, the roads weren’t closed — we ran alongside casual walkers and cyclists. I’ll never forget the look of surprise on an elderly couple’s faces as a stream of runners wearing sashes sprinted past them with fierce determination.
Despite these differences, the essence of ekiden — the act of passing the sash — remains universal. Many runners said afterward, “I felt the pressure to hand over the sash to the next runner, but I also enjoyed the run.”
“I used to think of running as an individual sport, but ekiden showed me what it means to be part of a team.”
Hearing these words from runners of different nationalities filled me with joy. It’s wonderful that people from around the world are embracing what could truly be called a traditional Japanese sport.
I was deeply moved by Anna’s determination to make this event a reality. While the organization and logistics may still be modest compared to Japan’s century-old races, her ability to rally so many people and create an event of this scale is truly remarkable.
In business, too, new ventures often begin with one person’s unwavering conviction. Running the ekiden reminded me of that same spirit — the drive to see something through, and the responsibility to pass it on to the next person. Perhaps that was exactly what Anna hoped to convey.
I look forward to the day when the tasuki of the UK Ekiden continues to be passed down, year after year, and this event becomes a cherished tradition.
As the sun finally set over London around 9 p.m., I enjoyed a long, memorable evening with fellow participants — inspired by the thought that the culture of ekiden might one day circle the globe.
May this race last 100 years like Hakone Ekiden — and may the word ekiden find its place in the Oxford English Dictionary.
By Anna Dingley, Founder of the UK Ekiden. Interview and text by Seiichi Yoshida.
We spoke with Anna Dingley, the founder of the UK Ekiden, about her inspiration and vision for the event.
After joining Japan’s JET Programme and working in Kagoshima, Anna has spent a total of eight years in Japan over the past three decades, building bridges between the UK and Japan through both public and private initiatives.
“And yet,” she says with a smile, “I knew nothing about the Hakone Ekiden. I must have missed it because I always went home to the UK for Christmas holidays.”
That changed in January 2023, when, during a business trip to Japan, she came across a newspaper article noting that Hakone Ekiden would celebrate its 100th running the following year. She was struck by the depth of its history and the meaning behind it.
“A year later, I returned to Japan to see it in person. I was deeply moved — the camaraderie among runners, the sight of fans waving university flags, the lively conversations about the race on the trains — it was all so wonderful.”
That experience sparked her determination:
“I want to hold an ekiden in the UK.”
And she set her sights high — to start it in 2024, the very year Japan’s Hakone Ekiden marked its centennial and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited the UK as state guests.
Working at remarkable speed, Anna gathered sponsors and teams, and in June 2024, the first UK Ekiden was held with 18 teams. By June 2025, the second edition had grown to 31 teams — 16 universities and 15 companies.
Through the race, Anna hopes to share not only the excitement of ekiden but also the Japanese values behind it — teamwork, dedication, and mutual support — while deepening ties between Japan and the UK.
“Ritsumeikan University, this year’s winner, was wonderful,” she recalls. “They exchanged T-shirts with British students, gave them university souvenirs and Japanese sweets, and enjoyed real friendship. Japanese runners support each other and take responsibility for their teams. I want British students to see that spirit.”
Marking the 160th anniversary of the Satsuma students’ study in Britain, Anna also invited students from Kagoshima to form a Kagoshima team. In the years ahead, she plans to invite different prefectures to participate, strengthening each region’s connection with the UK.
She’s also introduced mini-ekiden events at primary schools across Britain, where children run with sashes and taste Japanese food.
“Some of those children might one day run in the UK Ekiden,” she says with a smile.