The ekiden marathon trend: what on earth is an ekiden?
Running as a team is something you either love or hate. Fans of shared effort sing its praises, while solo runners fiercely guard their individual finish time. There is, however, one format that appeals to almost everyone: the Ekiden. Here’s everything you need to know.
| Discover the Ekiden, a relay marathon from Japan: its history, format and why it has become so popular with runners.
The Ekiden is a bit like fartlek. You are never quite sure how to spell it, and non-runners might assume it is some kind of code reserved for the running fraternity. While fartlek originated in Sweden, the ekiden comes from Japan. The concept is thought to date back to 1917, when a relay race was organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the capital moving from Kyoto to Tokyo. Runners travelled between the old and new capitals along a route lined with railway stations, covering 508 km in total. That is when the word ekiden is thought to have been coined, combining one kanji meaning “station” with another meaning “to transmit”.
A marathon, yes, but as a relay
Long-distance ekiden races still take place in Japan, but in the world of organised athletics, an ekiden refers to a different kind of event. It is an official race with national and international competitions, although it has never featured on the Olympic or World Championship programme. The format involves covering the distance of a marathon as a team of six runners, taking on successive legs of 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, 10 km, 5 km and 7.195 km. The relay baton is obviously not as substantial as the one used in a 4 x 100 m track relay. It is usually a sash or a small piece of fabric called a tasuki, which is easier to carry over several kilometres. Several French cities now host ekiden marathons. The most popular are held in Grenoble and Paris, but there are also events in Albi, Lyon, Strasbourg and Marseille. So why have these team events from the Far East become such a hit?
The ultimate team spirit
It is hard to ignore the fact that contemporary societies are marked by a certain degree of individualism and loneliness – just look at the high proportion of single people and the popularity of dating apps. Social media does little to foster genuine human connections, while opportunities to share convivial moments are becoming increasingly rare. In the workplace, meanwhile, every opportunity is seized to strengthen relationships between colleagues and foster a sense of belonging. The famous team-building exercise is riding high. It is easy to see, then, why ekiden marathons have become so popular.
They bring people together around a shared goal, and what could be healthier than a sporting challenge? Everyone gets to look after their health at the same time.
Motivation is even stronger because the team takes on the legendary marathon distance, made accessible by splitting it into six legs, with the shortest ones within reach of a reasonably trained beginner.
The ekiden takes the pressure off novice runners or those who have never pinned on a race bib. The team creates a reassuring safety net and helps runners overcome their apprehension.
The ekiden is also the ideal compromise: it combines team spirit, embodied by the relay and the team’s overall finish time, with the pursuit of individual performance through the split times. Each runner contributes to the collective goal while still having their own performance to celebrate.
Ekiden marathons often offer a lively, festive atmosphere, with some participants even encouraged to run in costume. The combination of sport and celebration is a winning one.
Running a marathon relay often leads to shared training sessions. At participating companies, which can account for a sizeable proportion of the field, race preparation often takes place in groups. Small, friendly communities grow around the sport.
Finally, the ekiden format guarantees genuine suspense: runners take over from one another and can turn the team standings on their head at any moment, leaving the final result uncertain. The cheering creates an electric atmosphere that pushes everyone to go beyond their limits.
Ekiden marathons clearly have plenty going for them. It is easy to see why their numbers have grown in recent years and why participation shows no sign of slowing. The only drawback? Putting together a team of six is not always easy, and a last-minute replacement may be needed if a teammate drops out. To enjoy a successful ekiden, you need to embrace the fundamentals of team spirit: a collective mindset, along with a strong leader who can rally the troops… and find a replacement at short notice!