© Ekiden de Toulouse
Ekiden de Toulouse: Six Runners, 42.195 km, and a First Chapter to Write Together
One marathon. Six runners. And a setting you won’t find anywhere else. On April 5, 2026, Toulouse will host the very first edition of the Ekiden de Toulouse—a 42.195 km team relay to be experienced collectively, at the crossroads of aviation heritage and giant mechanical creations. More than a race, it’s a shared adventure where effort is divided, relays are passed on, and memories are built together, right in the heart of the Piste des Géants district.
Some races simply add themselves to the calendar. Others already tell a story before the starting gun even fires. On April 5, Toulouse will welcome the inaugural Ekiden de Toulouse—an entirely new event, co-organized with two local sports associations and designed as a collective, cultural and deeply human experience. Yes, it’s a marathon—but a shared one. A divided effort. An adventure lived as a team, in a setting few cities in the world can offer.
| Ekiden: The Art of Running Together
Born in Japan, the Ekiden is built on a simple yet powerful idea: split the mythical marathon distance among several runners. Six relay runners, six legs, one shared objective. Individual performance takes a back seat to the collective effort. Everyone contributes, at their own pace, according to their strengths.
In Toulouse, the format stays true to this philosophy. The 42.195 km are divided into six consecutive legs:
➜ 5 km
➜ 10 km
➜ 5 km
➜ 10 km
➜ 5 km
➜ 7,195 km
It’s a smart, accessible breakdown that allows for endless team combinations. The occasional jogger, the dedicated 10K runner, the lunchtime runner, or the seasoned competitor—everyone has a role to play. The Ekiden doesn’t filter. It brings people together.
| A Race Set in a Truly One-of-a-Kind Location
It’s impossible to talk about the Ekiden de Toulouse without mentioning its playground. The start and relay zone are set at the Piste des Géants, an iconic site that embodies a key part of Toulouse’s identity. Runners take off between L’Envol des Pionniers—a landmark steeped in aviation history—and Halle de la Machine, a monumental space dedicated to living, moving machines.
At every relay point, the Minotaur stands watch—imposing, fascinating, and emblematic of the artistic vision of Compagnie La Machine. Running here isn’t just about ticking off kilometers. Your eyes wander, imagination kicks in, and your body moves through a space that tells a story beyond pure physical effort. It’s full immersion—heritage, creativity and motion intertwined.
| More Than a Race: A Collective Experience
The Ekiden de Toulouse embraces a different way of experiencing running. The relay format naturally encourages teamwork, anticipation and solidarity. You wait for your teammate, cheer them on, pass the sash, recover together. Crossing the finish line feels different when you do it as a group of six.
This format resonates strongly with a time when sport has become a way to create connection. Far from the obsession with individual splits and personal bests, the Ekiden celebrates shared effort, collective emotion and a common memory. You don’t run just for yourself—but for the team.
| Instant Public Success
The enthusiasm was immediate. The general public race sold out weeks ahead of the event—a strong signal for a first edition. The format, the venue and the identity of the race clearly found their audience. But the story is still being written—and it now turns toward the corporate world.
| The Corporate Challenge: Team-Building, Reinvented
Around 30 team slots are still available for the Corporate Challenge. Same course, same format, same sporting intensity—plus dedicated support to turn participation into a genuine collective project. April 5, 2026 becomes a concrete opportunity to strengthen team cohesion, showcase company values and offer a unifying experience far removed from traditional corporate events.
The Corporate Challenge includes:
✔ Full registration management with personalized support
✔ Event-branded jerseys featuring the company logo
✔ Hand-delivered race bibs in the Toulouse area
✔ Two parking passes per team
✔ Access to a VIP area at the heart of the event
✔ Catering before and after the race
✔ A team photo and gifts for each participant
✔ Awards for the top three corporate teams
Optional hotel accommodation, located just minutes from the start, is also available to ensure optimal conditions.
| Creating Meaning, Not Just Sport
Taking part in the Ekiden de Toulouse as a company means offering more than a physical challenge. It’s about creating a shared moment, a collective memory—a pause where job titles fade and the team takes over. The relay becomes a metaphor: everyone does their part, supports the next runner, then passes the baton on. A dynamic that naturally echoes professional life, without forced messaging or artificial storytelling.
| Writing the First Chapter
Every great adventure begins with a first edition. This one will unfold on April 5, 2026, in the heart of Toulouse—between giant machines and aviation heritage, running shoes on and relay sash in hand. The Ekiden de Toulouse promises to be a sporting, social and cultural event, destined to become a lasting fixture on the local calendar. A race that’s as much about storytelling as it is about running.
✔ For Corporate Challenge registration and further information, visit the official Ekiden de Toulouse website.
Dorian VUILLET
Journalist
