Schools

At the UK Ekiden, we believe that the spirit of the ekiden race is something everyone can learn from, regardless of age. That’s why we’ve developed a range of activities and competitions designed for students at all levels. The Ekiden is more than just a race – it’s a celebration of teamwork, culture, and tradition, and we want to share that with students across the country.

What is 'ekiden'?

Originating in Japan over 100 years ago, the ekiden is a long-distance, multi-stage relay running race.

The word “ekiden” comes from eki (station) and den (message), symbolising the passing of a message from one station to another. The first ekiden race took place in 1917, and today, schools across Japan continue the tradition with annual races.

Teamwork is a core value of ekiden, making it the perfect opportunity for students to learn more about Japan and celebrate the tradition behind this historic race.

Activities and competitions for all ages

Primary schools

We invited primary schools across the country to host a mini ekiden in their PE class throughout June.

This was a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about Japanese culture, explore the traditions of the ekiden race, and understand the importance of teamwork in sports.

Secondary schools

Secondary school students were able to join the UK Ekiden by entering our medal design competition.

Universities

University students were able to participate in the UK Ekiden by entering a running team into the ‘Racers’ category.

Primary Schools Mini Ekiden

We hope that in 10-15 years, these schoolchildren will be at university and running the full UK Ekiden, too!

For the past two years, we have been inviting primary schools along the route to hold a mini Ekiden.