UK Ekiden
Monday 24th June
Runner Informationwww.ukekiden.com
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About the first year
We are launching the UK Ekiden in 2024, inspired by theworld-famous Hakone Ekiden in Japan which celebrated
its 100th event in January 2024.

The race will start in Oxford and finish in Windsor, abeautiful 74-mile route along the Thames Path on
Monday, 24th June 2024.

This is the first year we are running the race and hope itwill be the first of many.

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2About the Thames Path
The Thames Path is a long-distance walking trail,
following England’s best-known river for 185.2miles (298km) as it meanders from its source in the Cotswolds
through several rural counties and on into the heart of
London.
On its way the Trail passes peaceful water meadows richin wildlife, historic towns and cities and many lovely
villages, finishing in Woolwich just a few miles from thesea.
The Emperor of Japan wrote a book called The Thames
and I, whilst he was studying in Oxford in the 90’s.
Visit Walk the Thames and the National Trails website
for more information on the whole path.
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3

Tasuki Sash Handover Points
Start: Voco Spires Hotel
Stop 1: Abingdon
Stop 2: Little Wittenham
Stop 3: Wallingford
Stop 4: Goring
Stop 5: Purley on Thames
Stop 6: Sonning
Stop 7: Henley-on-Thames
Stop 8: Marlow

Stop 9: Maidenhead
Finish: Windsor

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4Contents•

Event Snapshot•

Team Categories Racers and Runners•

Route Overview•

Event Timeline•

Coach Transport Overview
Coach Transfer 1 via Oxford
Coach Transfer 2 via Reading
Coach Transfer 3 via Reading•

Luggage•Handover points•

Ekiden Strategy - Cut off Times•

Event Signage•

Kit List•

Registration/Check In•

Event Crew•

Health & Safety on the Thames Path•

Emergency Procedures

•

FAQs

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Event Snapshot•

Launching the UK Ekiden, inspired by the world famous
Hakone Ekiden, which celebrated its 100th event in January2024•

This is a long-distance running relay along the Thames Path•

Departing from Oxford (Oxford Spire Hotel) and finishing in
Windsor (Brocas Park)•

21 teams of 10 passing the traditional Tasuki sash along the
route

•

Team categories: Racers (5 women/men) / Runners (any mix)•

Controlled handover points•

Feed stations at each handover point•

Coach transfers available from Oxford and Reading toseparate start locations•

The event will be signed for runners to follow throughout

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Team Categories Racers and Runners
To be authentic to the Ekiden spirit, FT Nikkei UK Ekiden is more akin to a race than a fun run. However, we dounderstand that there will be a mix of abilities. To accommodate this we will have 2 categories of teams.
There will be prizes for the winners of each category, and also small prizes for the fastest runner of each leg.

RacersRunners

5 women, 5 men

Any mix of runners

Any University entry has to be in this racing category

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Route Overview
The inaugural FT Nikkei UK Ekiden begins in Oxford, following a route to Windsor along the Thames Path.
See course map below (subject to minor adjustments).

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Event TimelineTime

Sunday 23rd June

1800 – 2000

Registration for all runners in voco Oxford Spires HotelTime

Monday 24th June

0630

Runners taking part in legs 1, 2, 3 & 4 arrive at voco Oxford Spires Hotel to register on the event (who haven’t done so
the night before)

0700

Coach 1 departs for runners on legs 2, 3 & 4 from voco Oxford Spires hotel to the relevant drop off locations.

0800

Runners (x21) on leg 1 set off from Oxford Spires Hotel

0900

Runners taking part in legs 5, 6 & 7 arrive in Reading to register on the event (who haven’t done so the night before)

0930

Coach 2 departs Reading and starts drop off for legs 5 ,6 & 7

1100

Runners taking part in legs 8, 9 & 10 arrive in Reading to register on the event (who haven’t done so the night before)

1130

Coach 3 departs and starts to drop off runners on legs 8, 9 & 10.

1613

Estimated time for the first finisher at Brocas Park (4km avg)

2020

Estimated time for the last finisher at Brocas Park (6km avg)

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Coach Transport Overview
There will be three different coach transport options depending on which leg of the UK Ekiden you are taking part in:• Oxford coach departure at 0700 - runners on legs 2, 3 & 4• Reading coach departure at 0930 – runners on legs 5, 6 & 7• Reading coach departure at 1130 – runners on legs 8, 9 & 10
The coach will not leave the stop until it has collected each runner once they have completed their leg. If you no longer require the coachtransfer you must let our staff know if you are leaving the event.
During the website registration process (see later in deck) please select the correct leg and advise us if you require the coach transfer.

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Coach Transfer 1
Pick-up Location:

Voco Oxford Spires Hotel

Address:

Abingdon Rd, Oxford OX1 4PS

what3words///swept.nerve.gross

Nearest train station:

Oxford train station. 7 minute taxi journey from Oxford train station to
the hotel. 25 minute walk from the start hotel.

Coach departure time: 0700 promptly.

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Coach Transfer 1 via Oxford
Runners 1, 2, 3, & 4

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Coach Transfer 2
Pick-up Location:

Fairview Community Centre

Address:

90b Great Knollys St, Reading RG1 7HL

what3words///vent.sketch.saints

Nearest train station:

Reading Train station. 12 minute walk away

Coach departure time: 0930 promptly

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Coach Transfer 2 via Reading
Runners 5, 6 & 7

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Coach Transfer 3
Pick-up Location:

Fairview Community Centre

Address:

90b Great Knollys St, Reading RG1 7HL

what3words///vent.sketch.saints

Nearest train station:

Reading Train station. 12 minute walk away

Coach departure time: 1130 promptly

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Coach Transfer 3 via Reading
Runners 8,9 & 10

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Luggage
At leg registration, all runners will be given two luggage tags to tie to their own luggage. The first piece of luggage will be for the start
bag they are leaving behind at the start location. The second tag will be for the bag they are collecting at the finish of their leg. Eachteam member will need to collect another team member’s bag at some stage of the relay.
Runner 1

Runner 2

Start bag – Left at start hotel for event staff to transfer to the Windsor finish.
Runners won’t have access to this at their leg finish. We suggest anythingimportant is placed in this finish bag.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 2 to take with them on the transfer to the startof leg 2 which is the end of leg 1. Bag needs to be ready and labelled before coachdeparts at 0700.
Start bag – Left at the Abingdon cricket club for runner 1 to collect at the end of
their run.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 3 to take with them on the transfer to theend/start of leg 2/leg 3.

Runner 3

Start bag – Left at Little Wittenham for runner 2 to collect at the end of their run.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 4 to take with them on the transfer to theend/start of leg 3/leg 4.

Runner 4

Start bag – Left at Wallingford for runner 3 to collect at the end of their run.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 5 before Monday to take with them on thetransfer to the end/start of leg 4/leg 5.

Runner 5

Start bag – Left at Goring for runner 4 to collect at the end of their run.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 6 to take with them on the transfer to theend/start of leg 5/leg6

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Runner 6

Start bag – Left at Purley on Thames for runner 5 to collect at the endof their run.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 7 to take with them on the transfer
to the end/start of leg 6/leg7

Runner 7

Start bag – Left at Sonning for runner 6 to collect at the end of theirrun
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 8 before Monday to take with themon the transfer to the end/start of leg7/leg 8.

Runner 8

Start bag – Left at Henley-on-Thames for runner 7 to collect at theend of their run.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 9 to take with them on the transfer
to the end/start of leg 8/leg 9.

Runner 9

Start bag – Left at Bisham Abbey for runner 8 to collect at the end of
their run.
Finish bag – Hands this to runner 10 to take with them on the transfer
to the end/start of leg 9/leg 10.

Runner 10

Start bag – Left at Maidenhead for runner 9 to collect at the end of
their run.
Finish bag – Left with pie staff in Reading to be transported to finish.

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Leg 1 – Oxford to Abingdon

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Leg 2 – Abingdon to Little Wittenham

Route Notes:
As per the elevation there is a steep climb at the end. This is to
avoid a potentially dangerous diversion onto a road.
The view at the top will be worth it!

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Leg 3 – Little Wittenham to Wallingford

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Leg 4 – Wallingford to Goringwww.ukekiden.com

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Leg 5 Goring to Purley on Thames

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Leg 6 - Purley on Thames to Sonning

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Leg 7 – Sonning to Henley-on-Thames

Route Notes:
Please note, due to a diversion this route takes the runners off
the Thames Path and into the hills before returning into
Henley-on-Thames.

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Leg 8 – Henley-on-Thames to Bisham Abbey

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Leg 9 – Bisham Abbey to Maidenhead

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Leg 10 – Maidenhead to Windsor

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Handover Point
On the approach to the finish of each leg there will be a “handover area” or “Transition Zone”.
The Tasuki is handed to the next runner in the indicated handover area. One runner finishes running, and the next runner starts runningin the handover area. Runners will hand over the Tasuki to the next runner. Runners must ensure that they are ready on time in thehandover area awaiting their teammate.

At each handover point there will be a venue booked such as a village hall, cricket club, community centre etc, where water and snacks
will be provided. Toilet facilities will be available, and you will be able to leave your start/finish bag here for your team mate to collect.

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Ekiden Strategy - Cut off Times
During the online registration process we will ask runners what they predict their average pace will be during the event. To ensure
all teams can complete the distance in the allotted time, we have set the following cut off times.
As many of you as may know, these cut of times are what bring the excitement to Ekiden racing.
There will be cut off times at the end of leg 4 and end of leg 7. The cut off times are as follows:• End of leg 4 in Goring Handover point – 1215
• If your teammate hasn’t reached Goring Village handover point by this time, runner 5 will set off with a green coloured
Tasuki at 1215.
• End of leg 7 Henley-on-Thames Handover point – 1545
• If your teammate hasn’t reached Henley-on-Thames handover point by this time, runner 8 will set off with a green
coloured Tasuki at 1545.
The coach will still wait for you to finish the leg of the run and transfer you to the finish in Brocas Park.
Team captains can allocate runners to certain legs of the race. We’d recommend quicker runners during the first half of the event.
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Event Signage
This is a fully signed run. All signage will be taken down as the last runner passes through.
Please keep an eye out for “caution” signs, as these indicate areas where you should take extra care.
The “Handover point” signs, will be placed roughly 500m from the handover to ready the runner to hand over the Tasuki.
Main directionalsignagewww.ukekiden.com

Take extra care!

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Approaching
Handover point

Kit List
Recommended kit list:• Technical running top• Comfortable running shorts• Running water bottle• Small back-pack x2 (one for the start and one for the finish) to carry water and personal effects• Running shoes / trail shoes (that you have worn in!)• Spikes are not recommended!
• Hat or cap• Sunglasses• Light weight summer wet weather gear
• Sun-cream• Change of socks• Lip balm
• Zip lock bag (for keeping kit dry in case of rain)• Cash/card• Mobile phone & charger (with zip lock bag to put it in in case of rain)• Snacks to eat on the go if required• Personal medication & pain relief• Phone charger / power pack
• Compeed or similar• Wearable phone holder
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Registrations/Check In
Before the event please register to the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden via the link attached.
Passwords: sent out separately to the team.
Deadlines Friday 31st May to register
Sunday 23rd June registration desk will be open for runners to collect race numbers, luggage tags from1800 – 2000 from voco Oxford Spires Hotel.
On the day of the event:

On Monday 24th June there are two other registration locations for the event:
1. Oxford Spires Hotel for runners 1, 2, 3, & 4 (0630)
2. Fairview Community Centre, Reading for runners, 5, 6, 7, (0900) 8, 9 & 10 (1100).
At check in you will receive:• Race number• Luggage tags for your start/finish bags (runners 4 & 7 to speak to staff on the event and will behanded separate luggage tag on the day for teammates bag.)www.ukekiden.com

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Sample race number

Event Crew•

Event crew - At the end/start of each leg there will be crew to assist you
as you approach the handover point, and also managing the stop
venues. They will be at the registration locations and assisting therunners in getting on the coach.

•

Medics - there will be a medic at the end/start of each leg if you needto see them.

•Volunteer marshals – will be placed throughout the route. They will be
wearing hi viz vests and clearly visible. They don’t have the ability tohold up traffic but will be advising the runners of any safety issues on
the route e.g. on Marlow Bridge at width restriction for runners to crossthe road.

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Health & Safety on the Thames Path
The Thames Path is a public footpath which means you will encounter a range of different
users from dog walkers, cyclists, walkers, people fishing, moored boats to livestock to name afew. Be respectful of other users of the Thames Path.

Foliage
Sections of the Thames Path may be overgrown with stinging nettles, thorns, brambles andother foliage and hazards.
Surface
The Path itself is not flat and can be rutted in places with tree roots protruding. There will be
sections of eroded path and loose terrain as well as dried pathways. Please be careful andcautious where you are placing your feet during the run.
Physical features
There will be gates, locks, bollards and stiles to navigate during the event. Please close every
gate you open after passing through.
VehiclesDue to a number of diversions on the Thames Path there are sections where you will berunning along the road when a footpath is not available. Please run towards oncoming
vehicles to ensure you are more visible. When approach blind bends, please cross to theother side of the road to enable you to see any oncoming vehicles.
Crossing roads
The event isn’t solely held on the Thames Path and there will be sections where you will needto cross a road. When you are on roads, please obey the Highway Code at all times. The event
isn’t a closed road event and vehicle users may not be aware of the event taking place.
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Emergency Procedures
Introductionpie (Passion in Events) are the professional event organisers, for the UK Ekiden, and have over 25 years' experience in organising and developing
activity-based challenges throughout the world. pie are confident you will find your event rewarding and memorable for all the right reasons.
Accidents do happen however, and so we would appreciate it if you could take a few moments of your time to read through the information
below and familiarise yourself with our emergency procedures.
All pie trips will be run by an Event Manager. The Event Manager will have overall responsibility for the event, and we would be grateful if you
could respect their decision throughout the event. We will always endeavour to keep you and your fellow participants as safe as possible,
however this does require a commitment from you to observe any instructions given to you by a pie member of staff. The Event Manager will ask
you to leave an event if they believe you are acting in a manner that endangers yourself, your fellow participants, pie staff, or the general public.
GeneralAll runners are required to carry a mobile phone with them for the duration of the event and are asked to inform pie of their correct contact
details (mobile phone number) in good time before an event. The mobile phone should be charged to a reasonable level (enough to make andreceive emergency calls). Should a runner not have a mobile phone, they should carry enough local currency to enable them to make calls from apayphone should an emergency occur.

All participants will be provided with emergency contact details for the Event Manager and other pie staff. Should a runner not receive thesedetails, they should request them from a pie member of staff, who will pass on the emergency contact information to them. All participants are
required to reduce the risk of an accident occurring as far as possible for the duration of the event.

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Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency
In the event of an emergency, our staff will instruct you as to the appropriate actions they would like you to take. It is important you follow these
instructions; however if you feel these instructions put you in more danger than acceptable, you are entitled to discuss this with our staff member andagree a different course of action.

Once all runners are safe, the pie staff member will call the Event Manager, who will then decide on the best course of action. This may involve a reorganisation of the logistics of the event, and in extreme cases, may mean the event is temporarily stopped, or terminated entirely. If the emergency
involves a member of pie staff, and there are no other pie staff in the immediate vicinity, you should follow the following course of action:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Ensure you, your fellow runners and members of the general public are as safe and as comfortable as possible
If necessary, call the emergency services
Call the pie Event Manager to tell them the nature of the incident and your location – the contact details can be found on your emergency
card
If it is safe to do so, you must stay where you are. If not, you should move to a safe location nearby
Please follow the instructions given to you by the pie Event Manager or the emergency services on their arrival

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Emergency Procedures 3
If the emergency involves you or a fellow runner on the event, and there is no pie member of staff in the immediate vicinity you should take thefollowing course of action:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Ensure you, your fellow runners, and members of the general public are as safe and as comfortable as possible
If necessary, call the emergency services
Call the pie Event Manager to tell them the nature of the incident and your location – the contact details can be found on youremergency card
If it is safe to do so, you must stay where you are. If not, you should move to a safe location
Please follow the instructions given to you by the pie Event Manager, pie member of staff or the emergency services on their arrival

After the incident
After the incident, the Event Manager may ask to meet you to note down the details of the incident. This is for the purposes of our own records, andfor use in improving our emergency procedures. We would be grateful if you could comply with this request and provide a full and honest account of
the incident.

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FAQs
1.

What if I am late to catch the coach transfer?
•

2.

Are there cut off times per leg?
•3.

If you don’t wish to wait for the final runner on a leg to finish, you are allowed to make your own travel arrangements at
the end of the leg. If you do leave the event, not on the coach provided, we request that you make our staff aware thatyou no longer require the coach and that you are leaving the event.

Can I run in spikes?
•

6.

The coaches will wait for all runners to finish the leg before it departs and drives to the next pick-up location, and finallyonto Windsor finish.

What if I don’t want to wait for the coach to fill up with runners?
•

5.

Cut of times have been placed for legs 4 & 7.

What if my team is much slower than other teams and we miss the coach?
•4.

If a runner misses the coach transfer, they will need to make their own way to the start of their running leg. The coaches
will leave promptly at the designated times. Please arrive promptly.

The Thames Path terrain varies throughout, and every runner will encounter tarmac at some stage of running leg. For thisreason, it is not advisable to wear spikes.

Where can I get food and water?
•

Water and snacks will be available at each handover point. There will be a venue booked nearby where tea/coffee andsnacks will be available for the runners once they have finished their leg of the event.

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FAQs
7.

What is happening at the finish?
•

8.

Do I need accommodation in Oxford?
•

9.

For all runners there will be shower vouchers available to use at the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel, and foodvouchers available for use at the Cote restaurant.
There is a group booking at the Oxford Spires Hotel for those who wish to stay the night before the run. There are rooms
booked at a discounted rate, contact the hotel directly to book a room at your own expense spiresreservation@ihg.com

What if I withdraw during the race?
•

If you withdraw during the race you will need to make Event Control aware of your withdrawal. The runner due to run thenext leg will be informed of the teammates withdrawal and will proceed with a green Tasuki. It will be the responsibilityof the teammate who withdrew to make the rest of the team aware of their withdrawal. Staff at the next leg will be
informed and will set the next runner off.

10. Can I run my section of the Ekiden route before the event?
•Yes. The distance and elevation table are linked to the planned route on the day of the event. Runners are encouraged torecce the route before the event date to familiarise themselves with the area and terrain.

11. Is there a waiting area?
•

At each handover location there will either be a village hall, cricket club or venue booked for the runners to wait in. There
will be toilet facilities inside the venue along tea/coffee and snacks whilst you wait. The facilities are limited, and showers
are not available until the end of the event.

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FAQs
12. Who will tell me when my teammate is approaching the handover point?
•

It will be your responsibility to ready yourself in time to greet your teammate in the handover point.

13. What happens if I’m unable to hand my luggage onto my teammate?
•

We would advise that you leave it with a teammate. There isn’t a luggage vehicle to support the runners
throughout the event.

14. What happens if it rains?
•

We advise runners to bring clothing for all weather conditions, and to regularly check weather apps for updates
on the conditions.

15. Can we change runners after the online registration?
•

If you wish to change runners after they have completed the registration process, please contact
info@ukekiden.com and advise them of the change.

16. Can I run two legs of the race•

No. Runners are only able to run one leg of the race.

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Founding Partners

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Supporters

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