Kikkoman sponsors the 2026 FT Nikkei UK Ekiden
29. May 2026
Returning for its third year on 12 June 2026, the race brings together elite university athletes, corporate teams and communities in a celebration of teamwork, resilience and Japanese culture — values that perfectly align with Kikkoman’s heritage and ethos.
What is Ekiden?
Originating in Japan over a century ago, Ekiden is a long-distance relay race where runners pass a “tasuki” sash from teammate to teammate instead of a baton. The sash represents shared effort, trust and determination — making teamwork just as important as speed.
The word comes from the Japanese characters eki (station) and den (to convey), roughly translating to "station to station". It was inspired by ancient Japanese courier systems where messengers relayed letters by passing them between points.
The popularity of Ekiden racing continues to grow in the UK, with the word “Ekiden” even added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2025. This year’s FT Nikkei UK Ekiden is set to be the biggest and most competitive yet, featuring 35 mixed teams competing across a demanding 112km course stretching from Windsor to Reading along the Thames.
Bringing Japanese Culture to the UK
Supported by the Financial Times and Nikkei Inc., the event celebrates the connection between Japan and the UK through sport, culture and collaboration.
This year, 17 top university teams — including athletes from Japan’s Ritsumeikan University — will compete alongside corporate and community teams in what has quickly become one of the UK’s standout endurance relay events.
The race also shines a spotlight on Japanese traditions, from the tasuki handover ceremony to the event’s focus on collective achievement over individual performance.
Why Kikkoman is Supporting the UK Ekiden
At Kikkoman, teamwork and bringing people together are at the heart of everything we do. For more than 300 years, our naturally brewed soy sauces have helped create shared moments together — from family dinners to celebratory feasts.
Bing-yu Lee, UK Manager at Kikkoman, said:
“The FT Nikkei UK Ekiden race is all about teamwork — just like great cooking! At Kikkoman, we’ve spent 300 years crafting naturally brewed products that bring people together around the table, so supporting this event feels like a perfect match. We also have our own team of runners taking part, including myself, so we can fully immerse in the experience.”
As a Japanese brand with a long heritage, we’re delighted to support an event that introduces more people in the UK to the spirit of Japanese culture, community and collaboration.
Inspiring the Next Generation
One of the most exciting additions to this year’s event is the launch of the “Mini Ekiden” initiative for schools across the UK. Up to 50 primary schools will receive tasuki sashes and resources to help pupils experience the relay format during sports days — inspiring future runners and introducing children to the values of teamwork and perseverance.
The 2026 event will also spotlight Ishikawa Prefecture, celebrating the region’s culture and community following the devastating earthquake in 2024.
Follow the Action
The 2026 FT Nikkei UK Ekiden takes place on 12 June, starting at Brocas Field in Windsor and finishing in King’s Meadow, Reading.
Kikkoman will have a team of runners so do come and cheer them on!
To learn more about the event, visit UK Ekiden and follow #UKEkiden on Instagram.
Fuelling Your Own Team at Home?
Whether you’re into running or any other sports, it’s important to fuel your body with nutritious meals.
Why not try one of these delicious high-protein meals — packed with Kikkoman’s signature umami flavour and perfect post-exercise?
