ekiden

Ekiden is a traditional form of long-distance relay race popular in Japan. Teams of runners compete by passing a Tasuki, a sash-like baton, from one runner to the next at designated exchange zones. Each runner carries out a predetermined leg of the course before handing the Tasuki to the next teammate. The team’s overall time is the sum of all legs.

The word ekiden combines eki (station) and den (relay). The modern ekiden developed in the early 20th century as schools, universities, and corporations organized relay teams for competition. The format gained widespread popularity and remains a fixture of national and regional calendars, with annual championship events and extensive media coverage.

Races vary in size and layout. Most teams field around 8 to 11 runners, though some events differ; each runner is assigned a specific leg with a defined distance. Courses are typically road routes, but some races include mixed or track elements. The best-known event is the Hakone Ekiden, a university race held around New Year. It runs over two days from Tokyo toward the Hakone area and back, covering approximately 217 kilometers in total and attracting large national audiences.

Ekiden is used by many schools and companies for training and competition; it has influenced relay racing abroad and inspired similar formats in other countries. In Japan, the race fosters teamwork and endurance, and the exchange of the tasuki is a symbolic moment that marks the passage of leadership from one runner to the next.