Established in 2024 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Hakone Ekiden and the State Visit of the Emperor of Japan to the UK, the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden brings Japan’s iconic sporting tradition to the UK. Each runner carries the symbolic Japanese tasuki sash, representing teamwork, endurance and collective effort.

Split into two categories, racers and runners, the UK Ekiden sees top university athletes race against each other in a team of 10 (5 men and 5 women) and corporate teams have the opportunity to participate by sponsoring the event and entering a team of their own to compete in the runners’ category.

The event aims to further strengthen Japan-UK relations and showcase Japan’s renowned sports culture in the UK. FT Nikkei UK Ekiden made a donation to support the recovery efforts for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and the Richard Whitehead Foundation, a charity empowering disabled individuals through sport.