Ekiden is long-distance relay running, typically held on roads. The term Ekiden originated in Japan, where such long-distance relay events are popular.
The lengths of races can vary greatly, as can the number of runners on a team. The total race distances may cover hundreds of kilometers. Runners carry a cloth sash that they pass to the next runner.
The world's longest relay race is Japan's Prince Takamatsu Cup Nishinippon Round-Kyūshū Ekiden, which covers 1,064 kilometers (661 miles), leaving from Nagasaki. There was a World Road Relay Championships held every two years from 1992 until 1998, involving teams of six to covering a total marathon distance.
Similar Pages
- About Running Sports
- Relay Running — a track and field running race in which athletes compete as a team, passing a baton from one runner to the next.
- Cross Country Running — individuals or teams run races which involve courses over natural terrain.
- Fell Running — running and racing done off-road or on any over upland country, with a significant hill component.
- Skyrunning — a running sport in which athletes compete on a course that leads through mountains.
- Canicross — a variant of cross country running in which runners have to complete the course accompanied by their dogs.
- Snowshoeing — racing in the snow wearing snow shoes.
- Cross-Country Skiing — long-distance cross country races on skis and snow.
- Cross-Country Running is one part of the Modern Pentathlon
- Adventure Sports
Related Pages
- About track and field
- cross country running was once part of the Olympic Games
- Cross country running is part of the modern pentathlon and the military pentathlon
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
- About Sport in Japan