Alongside the excitement of the race, the UK Ekiden beautifully showcased the Thames and the British countryside to participants, supporters, and followers alike. We were thrilled to have the support of The Thames Path National Trail and are pleased to announce a donation to support its continued preservation as a result.
“The Thames Path National Trail is grateful for the generous donation made by the UK Ekiden Event. Our trail is maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers, but the costs for resurfacing, maintaining signage, gates, bridges, and boardwalks are very high. All donations we receive go directly towards these efforts.
We host a wide range of events on our trail, but we were particularly excited when approached by the UK Ekiden team. The Thames Path and Japan share a historic link, as Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako both studied at Oxford University in the 1980s, which sits directly on the Thames Path. Emperor Naruhito’s love for the river and the trail is evident in his thesis, “The Thames as Highway: A Study of Navigation and Traffic on the Upper Thames in the 18th Century,” and his memoir, “The Thames and I.”
We are thrilled that the inaugural event was such a success and hope to host many more Ekiden events along the riverbanks in the years to come.”
– Hannah Gutteridge, Thames Path National Trail Manager
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