FT NIKKEI UK EKIDEN: One Race, Many Stories
Attracting millions of spectators, ekiden races are some of Japan’s most prestigious sporting events. Popular in schools, universities and companies across Japan, the ekiden traces its roots back hundreds of years to a time when runners relayed important messages between stations along predetermined routes.
The ekiden is more than just a race. Each member of an ekiden team has a role to play, a leg to run, and a tasuki to pass. The race isn’t about how fast a single runner is, but rather how well the team can work together.
In celebration of the 100th Hakone Ekiden, the UK Ekiden brings this unique format of competitive university team racing to the UK. Celebrating the best of both Japan and the UK, the UK Ekiden offers participants and spectators an opportunity to experience Japanese culture along the scenic Thames Path, which symbolically connects Britain and Japan.
The exhibition captures the highlights and behind-the-scenes moments of the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden Years 1 and 2, offering a visual narrative of the event and its vibrant community of participants. Featuring images by Phil Hill, a sports and outdoor lifestyle photographer based in the UK, the exhibition will be open to the public from 4th to 11th September 2025 on the first floor of the FUJIFILM House of Photography.