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JA This year, we invited secondary school students to take part in an exciting challenge: to design the finisher’s medal for the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden Year 2. The brief was to create a design that not only celebrated the spirit of the Ekiden relay but also bridged the cultures of the UK and Japan.
The winning design was created by Alexander Scott from the Online College of Art and Design.
Alexander’s medal stood out for its thoughtful symbolism and artistic flair. It beautifully captures the essence of the UK Ekiden and the special connection between Britain and Japan.
The medal prominently features Windsor Castle, marking the start and finish points of the race and highlighting its iconic Royal setting. A segment of the River Thames can be seen in the shape of the British flag, representing the race route from Windsor to Reading, intricately illustrated within the medal.
In homage to the race’s ties with Japan, the design also incorporates a traditional Japanese bridge supported by the character for “to run,” a nod to the historic starting point of the first Ekiden at Kyoto’s Sanjo Ohashi Bridge. The medal’s circular shape subtly echoes the red sun disk of the Japanese flag, tying together the cross-cultural narrative.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their designs, and again, congratulations to Alexander. You will be able to catch Alexander at the finish to present some of the medals.
“I am so excited and honoured to be a part of this amazing event. My design aims to bridge the 6.500 mile gap between Japan and Britain, incorporating features from both, echoing the way the runners are closing the gap between the two countries. Thank you to Anna and everyone else at the UK Ekiden team, the Financial Times, Nikkei newspaper and all the other sponsors. As a student, it’s a fantastic boost to have my passion for art and design recognised and transformed into something which the recipients well deserve and which I hope will hold memories for them for many years to come.”
“Alex is a highly motivated and hardworking student who consistently seeks out new challenges and opportunities. His success in this competition is a clear reflection of his drive and ambition, and we look forward to seeing all that he will achieve in the future. Well done Alex!”