Nantes Ekiden makes a colorful debut
© Ville de NantesNantes has long attracted runners, with its marathon and packed calendar of sporting events drawing ever-growing crowds. On October 5, a new race joined the lineup: the first Nantes Ekiden, a marathon run as a relay.
The first Nantes Ekiden was a resounding success. Festive, inclusive and accessible, the event was not aimed solely at elite runners but at every kind of participant. Organised by Nantes Métropole Athlétisme, the city's flagship athletics club, the race took runners past some of central Nantes' most iconic landmarks, from the banks of the Loire to the university track at Stadium Pierre Quinon and Nantes racecourse. The course featured several sporting venues and plenty of changes of pace. The event also supports the local club and its athletes, who benefit from the economic impact. The goal for 2026 is to have the course officially certified by the French Athletics Federation, making performances officially ratifiable.
The organisers also offered the Corporate Challenge for employees. Whether you're running with friends, colleagues, family or club teammates, anyone can take part in the Ekiden. The 42.195 km is split between six runners, who cover, in order, 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, 10 km, 5 km and 7.195 km. The variety of legs means runners of all abilities, from beginners to experienced racers, can enjoy the shared experience while contributing to a collective performance. Teams can therefore bring together runners with very different levels.
Fastest team clocks 2:17:45
Runners in Nantes embraced a day built around collective effort. Eighty volunteers helped make the event happen, while 700 runners, forming nearly 115 teams, lined up for the inaugural edition. The winning team completed the Ekiden in 2:17:45. Florian Gaborit, Hugo Bredin, Marius Loirat, Brice Denis, Tom Gobin and Maelick Marbœuf-Guibert made up the winning squad.
Every team received an original medal. Each runner was given a magnetic piece symbolising both the collective effort and their place in the relay. When brought together, the six medals form a larger keepsake depicting the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the Grand Elephant and Anne of Brittany. A memorable memento from a day centred on sharing and team spirit.
The Ekiden, a legendary Japanese relay
Who said running was an individual sport? Born in Japan in 1917, the Ekiden celebrates teamwork, solidarity and endurance. In Japanese, “eki” means stage, station or stop, while “den” means to transmit. The original race took the form of a relay between Tokyo and Kyoto, marking the 50th anniversary of the capital. This three-day event covered more than 500 km along Japan's historic and legendary roads. Runners passed a traditional sash, worn across the body and known as a “tasuki”, at old railway stations. It paid tribute to the messengers of the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868, who carried messages between cities.
The format proved so popular that other Ekidens followed, including the legendary Tokyo-Hakone, covering around 100 km. This spectacular and iconic out-and-back race, held every year in early January, has become a deeply rooted tradition. It is now a major national event, widely covered by the media and followed as one of Japan's key sporting occasions.
In Japan, neither the distances nor team compositions are strictly fixed. In Europe, by contrast, the format is consistently based on the marathon distance split into six legs.
The first Nantes Ekiden brought together nearly 700 runners. Organised by local club Nantes Métropole Athlétisme, the event welcomed participants of all abilities to cover the marathon distance with friends, colleagues or family. The City of the Dukes delivered a memorable, convivial day of sport, filled with good humour and team spirit.