OXFORD, U.K. -- The FT Nikkei U.K. Ekiden was held in Oxford on Monday with a total of 180 runners participating, marking the traditional Japanese long-distance relay race's debut in the U.K.
Eighteen teams made up of 10 runners each from Japanese and British companies, universities and others competed in the unique event. Runners in an ekiden relay race pass a sash instead of a baton.
The first group of runners set off from the central part of Oxford at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. The goal is located in Windsor, near London. The 123-kilometer race was divided into 10 legs, with each leg run by a different team member.
The 18 teams participating in the race were divided into two categories: One is the full-scale "race" category and the other is the "runner" category. The former consists of teams from companies and universities, while the latter comprises other teams. The teams in the race category were made up of five men and five women each.
The race, which was held under the auspices of The Financial Times and its Japanese owner Nikkei, coincided with a high-profile visit to the U.K. by Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako from Saturday. The imperial couple, who both studied at the University of Oxford, are due to visit Oxford on Friday.
The FT Nikkei U.K. Ekiden was modeled on the Hakone Ekiden in Japan, a popular round-trip college relay race between Tokyo and the town of Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is aimed at promoting the culture of ekiden across the U.K.
Ekiden is a long-distance relay race unique to Japan. But it has been held as a "road relay" abroad in the past and keeps spreading, not only in the U.K. but also in continental Europe, including France, the Netherlands and Spain, in recent years.
In Europe, an ekiden relay race of 42.195 kilometers -- the same distance as a full marathon -- run by a team of six runners is popular.
FT CEO John Ridding said before the FT Nikkei U.K. Ekiden, "I have done several marathons -- which I have enjoyed (though found very tough!) -- and I think the ekiden is an even better kind of event because it embodies teamwork, unlike the essential solitary nature of marathon running."
"I am hopeful and confident that it will grow bigger in future years," he added.
