The FT Nikkei UK Ekiden will return for its third year on June 12, 2026, featuring its most competitive field to date. The event, which is an endurance relay inspired by a centuries-old Japanese tradition, will see 17 of the UK’s top athletic university teams compete along a 112km route between Windsor and Reading.
The race is supported by the Financial Times and Nikkei to strengthen ties between the UK and Japan through endurance sport.
Organised by FT Nikkei UK Ekiden, the race involves 35 mixed teams of 10 runners. Each participant carries a ‘tasuki’ sash, which is handed over to the next runner in a relay format that emphasises collective effort over individual performance.
The 2026 event marks a milestone as it is now licensed by England Athletics. For the first time, all elite university teams were required to go through a qualifying process to secure their spot on the start line.
Competing alongside the British universities will be athletes from Japan’s Ritsumeikan University, plus 18 corporate and community teams. The race begins at 08:00 on June 12, 2026 at Brocas Field, Windsor, with the route following the Thames path to the finish line at King’s Meadow, Reading.
Anna Dingley, Founder and CEO of FT Nikkei 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.”
The 2026 edition features a prize fund for university clubs, with £3,000 awarded to the winners, £2,000 for second place, and £1,000 for third. In the 2025 season, Ritsumeikan University claimed victory after the University of Oxford was disqualified for a handover violation, while Loughborough University and St Mary’s finished on the podium.
Matt Seddon, Athletics Director for the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden, said “Success depends on the strength of the team, not the individual – there’s nowhere to hide. It showcases distance running in its purest form: a point-to-point relay.
“The Ekiden aims to play a key role in developing the next generation, offering a platform for emerging talent to shine. Keep an eye on these athletes ahead of 2028 and beyond – several have already represented Great Britain.”
This month, organisers confirmed that Olympian Eilish McColgan will attend the pre-race tasuki ceremony to support the event and discuss equality in sport. Running author Adharanand Finn is also scheduled to participate in the relay itself.
The event also introduces a Corporate Trophy for 2026, allowing sponsors such as ASICS, Science in Sport, and Japan Airlines to engage with student athletes. Additionally, a Mini Ekiden initiative will be rolled out to 50 primary schools across the UK to introduce younger runners to the sport.
Each year the race highlights a specific Japanese region, with the 2026 event focusing on Ishikawa Prefecture. This includes participation from Japanese runners and medals featuring a poem from the local community, following the 2024 earthquake in the region.
