Nyahururu athletes in Nyandarua County had a feel of Ekiden running, which is essentially road running relay popular in Japan where the event is a culture and a national competition held annually on New Year day.

Ekiden is a type of long-distance relay race where each team has its own sash which is also known as Tasuki and it is worn by the runner then handed off to the teammate at the finish point of the distance stipulated to be covered.

Unlike track relays where runners exchange buttons, in Ekiden, runners exchange a sash but the rules are the same; dropping the sash leads to automatic disqualification of the team concerned.

In Nyahururu during the inaugural event, runners from seventeen different teams comprising of five runners were to cover 20KM so each was to cover a distance of 4KM before handing over the sash to the next runner.

Japan based Cyrus Gichobi said Ekiden running in the Far East country is used to endure long distance running, building cohesion, love and societal unity in the country.

The Nyahururu introductory event held on a 4km loop in the town’s eastern bypass attracted 17 teams. Each team of five runners had four men and one lady.

A team made of Amazon Kireu of Nala Club, Marathoner Monica Ngige, Austin Sosion, Julius Mayani and Kiprono Rotich emerged top in one hour, one minute and 23 seconds and Second position went to team led by KDF cross country champion Duncan Waweru, KDF cross runners-up Moses Kirimi, Stephen Maina, Francis Waiwa and Japan based Jacinta Nyokabi were runners up in 1:01.25.

The event had two Korean runners Sin Jinseok and Jang Ji Hoon who team up with Grace Wangechi, David Muthama and Evans Kipngetich. The team finished among those below the prize bracket.

The organizer of this event, Sushi Takamura said that he wants to make Ekiden running a celebrated race in Kenya just like it is in Japan.