ON JUNE 12, athletes from universities, and teams from 18 leading companies in the corporate world, will take part in a 112km endurance battle where 31 mixed teams of 10 male and female runners hand over a ‘tasuki’ sash in Japan’s most popular sporting event.
Sixteen elite teams from British universities – who have all gone through qualifying for the first time – will compete alongside runners from Japan’s Ritsumeikan University and 18 corporate and community teams in a contest quickly becoming the defining endurance event in university sport.
The 2026 UK Ekiden - which takes place on a picturesque stretch along the Thames between Windsor and Reading – will see a series of firsts for one of Britain’s fastest growing elite team races, which organisers hope will inspire future Olympians of the future.
For the first time the event is licensed by England Athletics and has required all of its elite university teams to go through qualifying before earning their spot.
Such is the sports growing popularity, the word Ekiden was even added to the Oxford English Dictionary in December 2025.
Anna Dingley, Founder and CEO of UK Ekiden, said: “The UK Ekiden is a truly special race, and it is a team race, which people can aspire to be part of.
“University teams must qualify, while corporate teams support the event and compete alongside them.
“With costs covered for universities and mixed teams representing their institutions, it creates a high-performance, inclusive environment.
“Introducing qualification has elevated the competition even further.
“We already have a waiting list, and it’s fast becoming a standout fixture in the student sporting calendar.”
“Being awarded an England Athletics licence this year is a significant milestone for the UK Ekiden.
“It adds an extra layer of credibility to the event and reinforces our position as a recognised and professionally delivered championship.
“Inspired by the 100th Hakone Ekiden university running relay race, I’ve seen how it brings the whole country together to cheer on the next generation.
“Ekiden culture and team work is extremely important in Japan, it’s all about hearts and minds.
“Our plan is also for the UK Ekiden to continue for 100 years.”
The race is a Japanese relay format – using a tasuki sash rather than a baton, which will be handed over to each team the day before at a tasuki ceremony
Last yera Ritsumeikan University took the glory after the University of Oxford team was disqualified for not making the tasuki handover within the designated area.
Benjamin MacCartney, a member of the Oxford team said: “The UK Ekiden is a highlight of our yearly calendar and presents the opportunity for Oxford to once again demonstrate the strength and depth of our distance team.
“This year we’re in a better position than ever.
“The Ekiden is a team race and you can only be successful if your runners prioritise team goals over individual ambitions.
“We have an extremely close knit group of highly motivated athletes dedicated to representing the University.
“We’re excited to return for a third year and establish ourselves as the team to beat.”
The 2026 FT Nikkei UK Ekiden will also see a Corporate Trophy for the first time, with the sponsors putting forward teams to compete and creating valuable connections with the talent pool represented by the university teams.
Anna Dingley added: “It’s a notoriously challenging time for graduates entering the job market, and the headlines can be pretty discouraging.
“We’re proud that our corporate partners don’t just fund the event and student participation they also engage directly with students.
“This year, we’re introducing informal talks in the race village where sponsors share their career journeys and offer practical advice, helping students better understand the opportunities ahead of them.”
Supported by Financial Times and Nikkei, the race seeks to shine a light on university team running and deepen links between the United Kingdom and Japan through the shared joy of sport.
It also offers a unique opportunity for British participants and spectators to experience the traditions and values of Japanese running culture. The collaborative ethos embodied in the Ekiden format is at the heart of the event, celebrating teamwork and the collective achievement of a shared goal.
The FT Nikkei UK Ekiden wants to not only celebrate the best of university competition but also help the development of athletes and give back to university clubs, through its prize money of £3,000, £2,000 and £1,000 for the top three teams.
For the first time this year, a “Mini Ekiden” will also be rolled out for up to 50 primary schools across the UK, where pupils can experience handing over the sash in the ultimate team sport.
Boxes will be sent out to junior and secondary schools in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales containing tasuki sashes from Japan and an information booklet about how to hold an Ekiden on school sports days.
In a few years time, these students could be representing their universities in the main race.
Runners will line up on the start line in Brocas Field, Windsor on Friday, June 12, at 8am, before teams navigate the Thames path, footpath gates, fields and bridges, through towns and across roads before ending up in King’s Meadow, Reading.
For information, visit: ukekiden.com
