LONDON, June 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The inaugural FT Nikkei UK
Ekiden was held on Monday, bringing the spirit of Japanese relay
racing to the UK for the first time ever in an official capacity.
The race was headline sponsored by the Financial Times and
Nikkei.
The race took place on the eve of the emperor and empress of
Japan's state visit to the UK, the
first in more than 25 years.
Photos are available for use by the media are here.
The long-distance relay race involved 18 teams of 10 runners who
ran a 76-mile route along the scenic Thames Path, starting in
Oxford and finishing in
Windsor. Each runner wore the
traditional Japanese tasuki (pictured) sash instead of using a
baton.
The winning racing (university) teams were Oxford University (7:48:14), Cambridge University (8:25:12), Birmingham University (8:41:41). The winning team
in the running (companies and clubs) category was Team Paris
Marathon (9:15:07).
Winners of the race were presented with wreaths and by FT CEO
John Ridding. The UK Ambassador to
Japan, Julia Longbottom, was also in attendance.
FT Group CEO John Ridding said:
"It was wonderful to be a part of the first FT Nikkei UK Ekiden and
to see the true spirit of this iconic race come alive. We're
thrilled to have supported this historic event which strengthens
the cultural ties between Japan
and the UK and demonstrates the value of teamwork, collaboration
and international exchange at a time of divisions. Congratulations
to the winners and everyone who participated."
UK Ekiden founder Anna Dingley
said: "It was inspiring to see the energy and endurance from the
runners and to feel their sense of camaraderie, which is what the
ekiden is all about. We are deeply impressed that the Hakone Ekiden
reached the milestone of 100 races, and hope that the UK Ekiden
also continues for the next 100 years. Thank you to all the runners
and supporters".
The participating teams included University teams from
Oxford, Cambridge, and
Birmingham, as well as corporate
teams from The FT, Nikkei, Arcus, Mizuno and Daiwa Capital Markets,
Nikko Asset Management and Yu Life.
Other teams were Momiji Charity, Team Paris Marathon, Namban Rengo,
Jet Programme Alumni Featuring Runner's World Magazine, RAF Medical
Services and Henley Rowing Club Runners.
Sponsored by the FT and Nikkei, the race aims to showcase the
long lasting cultural ties between Japan and the UK, as well as an opportunity
for people to enjoy aspects of Japanese running culture.
About the UK Ekiden
The Japanese long-distance relay format, ekiden, traces its
roots back hundreds of years to a time when runners relayed
important messages between stations along predetermined routes. The
UK Ekiden, launched in admiration and celebration of the 100th
Hakone Ekiden in January 2024, has
incorporated many aspects of the Japanese race including passing a
tasuki sash instead of a baton and an iconic route. The race
emphasises teamwork, endurance and camaraderie, and will also serve
to strengthen the close bonds between the UK and Japan.
About the Financial Times
The Financial Times is one of the world's leading business news
organisations, recognised internationally for its authority,
integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of
1.4 million, more than one million of which are digital
subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad
range of information, news and services for the global business
community
About Nikkei
Nikkei Inc. is a world-renowned media brand for Asian news,
respected for quality journalism and for being a trusted provider
of business news and information. Founded as a market news provider
in Japan in 1876, Nikkei has grown
into one of the world's largest media corporations, with 37 foreign
editorial bureaus and approximately 1,500 journalists worldwide.
Nikkei acquired the UK-based Financial Times in 2015. Our combined
digital and print circulation totals about 2.3 million, and we are
continually deploying new technologies to increase our
readership.
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