The word “Ekiden” comes from Japanese.”Eki” (station) and”Den” (transmission). Originally, it was a Relay race between post stations, where messengers passed a strip of fabric (the “tasuki”) to transport messages over long distances. Today, the Ekiden has kept this symbol of the passing of baton, but in a modern running version: a relay race over the marathon distance (42.195 km).
An Ekiden is run in a team of six runners, who share the total distance of the marathon:
Each member gives their all about their portion before passing the baton to the next one.
The magic of Ekiden is this alternation between individual intensity and the collective dynamic : we run for ourselves, but above all For the team.
The Ekiden ticks all the boxes of the modern runner:
For the most competitive, it is also a Great opportunity to measure yourself against other teams, often made up of clubs, businesses or runner friends.
And for amateurs, it's just The pleasure of sharing a collective effort in a unique atmosphere.
A good Ekiden is above all a well thought-out team strategy :
But beyond the chronos, the Ekiden is above all A human experience : encouragement between teammates, the tension of witness exchanges, and collective satisfaction at the finish line.
The emotion is always stronger when you win, or when you surpass yourself, together.
Because it brings together everything we love: the friendliness, the performance, and the Fun.
Each member experiences their own race, but it is the collective that makes the difference.
You vibrate at each relay, you shout for your team, you exhaust yourself for the others, and in the end, you just want to start over.
It is also a superb gateway for those who want to discover the Competitive running without starting alone for 42 km.
In short, Ekiden is The marathon “team running” version, and we validate 100%.
Ekiden is proof that running is not just an individual sport; it is a race where collective energy pushes you further than your usual time. So if you want to live an experience that is both demanding and ultra-friendly, gather your friends, your club or your colleagues: one bib, six runners, one single objective, crossing the line together.
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