Year 1 , 2024
The inaugural FT Nikkei UK Ekiden took place on Monday the 24th of June 2024, in celebration of the incredible achievement of the Hakone Ekiden in Japan reaching its 100th year. This was our inspiration to bring competitive Japanese racing to the UK along a spectacular route. The race was headline-sponsored by the Financial Times Group and Nikkei Inc.
The inaugural UK Ekiden coincided with the State Visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The race started in Oxford, where both the Emperor and Empress went to university, and finished in Windsor, the home to the British Royal Family.
The long-distance relay race involved 18 teams of 10 runners, with runners travelling from across the UK, Japan, Canada, Germany and Hong Kong to take part in the 76-mile route along the scenic Thames Path. Each runner wore the traditional Japanese tasuki sash instead of using a baton for the relay.
Huge congratulations to all the participants, and the winners of each category; Oxford University and Team Paris Marathon.
The participating teams included University teams from Oxford, Cambridge, and Birmingham, as well as corporate teams from The Financial Times, Nikkei, Arcus, Mizuno, Daiwa Capital Markets, Nikko Asset Management and Yu Life. Other teams were Momiji Charity, Team Paris Marathon, Namban Rengo, Jet Programme Alumni Featuring Runner’s World Magazine, RAF Medical Services and Henley Rowing Club Runners.
Donations were made to charities, including the Thames Path, Noto Peninsular Earthquake Recovery and Richard Whitehead Foundation.
An overview of the route taken, handover points and other information about the day.
Headline Sponsors, Founding Partners and our supporters that make Year 1 possible.
English (UK) 
日本語 
