EN_GB 
JA The winners of the ‘Racers’ category will be awarded a special FT Nikkei UK Ekiden trophy made by Linley, a British brand renowned for its exemplary craftsmanship.
The team behind the UK Ekiden chose Linley to create the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden trophy because their craftsmanship represents the very best of British design and innovation, aligning perfectly with the mission to celebrate the best of Japan and the UK.
Linley’s reputation for exemplary woodwork and modern marquetry makes them the ideal partner to introduce British craftsmanship to our audience around the globe, just as the Hakone Ekiden trophy showcases traditional “yosegi-zaiku” inlay work from Japan.
The goal is for the UK Ekiden to continue for 100 years, and we want a trophy that reflects that legacy. One that embodies heritage, excellence, and cross-cultural exchange.
Each year the trophy will be engraved with the names of the new champion team, reinforcing the enduring tradition of the race.
London plane tree “… the lungs of the city”
The London Plane Tree (Platanus x hispanica) makes up for over half of London city’s tree population. As a hybrid of the Oriental plane and the American sycamore (both of which had been introduced earlier in Britain), they were cross-pollinated to produce a new hybrid and named after the city where it first originated.
It was then widely planted in the 18th century as an ideal combatant against the growing problem of smog within the city and has often been referred to as the lungs of the city.
The FT Nikkei UK Ekiden Trophy will be crafted from timbers of the London plane tree, symbolising not only the durability and resilience of the tree but also the vital role our lungs play in our day-to-day life, and in running.
The trophy will be revealed in early June. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to find out more.