Race Information, Year 1, 2024

About the first year

The inaugural UK Ekiden took place on the 24th of June 2024, inspired by the world-famous Hakone Ekiden which celebrated its 100th event in January 2024.

The race started in Oxford and finished in Windsor, a beautiful 76-mile route along the Thames Path.

Start

8am at the Voco Spires Hotel Oxford, right on the Thames Path.

what3words: grid.doing.soil

The route

Oxford to Windsor, along the scenic Thames Path. 

Runner at the Hakone Ekiden in a green outfit and wearing a tasuki sash

Tasuki sash handover points

Start: Voco Spires Hotel, Oxford
Stop 1: Abingdon
Stop 2: Little Wittenham
Stop 3: Wallingford
Stop 4: Goring
Stop 5: Purley
Stop 6: Sonning
Stop 7: Henley-on-Thames
Stop 8: Marlow
Stop 9: Maidenhead
Finish: Windsor

The route in detail

The inaugural FT Nikkei UK Ekiden began in Oxford and saw the teams follow a route to Windsor along the scenic Thames Path.

Click the links in the table below to view the Ride with GPS data.

 0800 dept – Estimated Arrival Time
LegStart PointFinish PointDistance (km)Elevation (m)4 km avg4.30km avg5km avg5.30km avg
Leg 1OxfordAbingdon13.23708.5208.5909.0609.12
Leg 2AbingdonLittle Wittenham148609.4810.0210.1610.29
Leg 3Little WittenhamWallingford9.53210.2610.4511.0311.21
Leg 4WallingfordGoring11.14611.1111.3511.5912.22
Leg 5GoringPurley on Thames11.16311.5512.2512.5413.23
Leg 6Purley on ThamesSonning12.26512.4413.1913.5514.31
Leg 7SonningHenley-on-Thames13.89413.1914.2215.0415.45
Leg 8Henley-on-ThamesBisham Abbey14.36214.3615.2616.1617.05
Leg 9Bisham AbbeyMaidenhead13.94315.3216.2817.2518.22
Leg 10MaidenheadEton10.32916.1317.1518.1719.18
Total123.45578h13m9h15m10h17m11h18m

Finish

Brocas Field, next to Eton Bridge.

what3words: pass.wisdom.awards

About the Thames Path

The Thames Path is a long distance walking trail, following England’s best known river for 185.2miles (298 km) as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds through several rural counties and on into the heart of London. On its way the Trail passes peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife, historic towns and cities and many lovely villages, finishing in Woolwich just a few miles from the sea.

Visit Walk the Thames and the National Trails website for more information.

Register your interest for 2025

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