I've Never Done A RACE like This! (Japanese Ekiden Comes To UK)

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7 күн бұрын

In today's video I took part in the inaugural UK Ekiden Relay race along the Thames Path. 72 Miles from Oxford to Windsor. Taking inspiration from the Japanese Hakone Ekiden- an annual 217km relay between Tokyo and Hakone with deep cultural traditions between the countries top University students- it was a true pleasure to be part of.
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Uk Ekiden: ukekiden.com/
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Пікірлер: 95

@georgios.a 5 күн бұрын

Wow, an Ekiden in the UK?!?! That’s fantastic!!! A bit disappointed it wasn’t advertised more, but very grateful you’re making a video about it. Love that format, hope we get more of it!

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

I think this year they wanted to keep it a little low key as logistically it was very complicated to put on. With say thousands of runners I think they would have had some issues but a very good inaugural event to build on :)

@georgios.a 4 күн бұрын

@@BenIsRunning makes sense - was asking about spectating rather than running it, but taking part would be even cooler!

@enricsangranavarro2136 5 күн бұрын

Time to rewatch "Run with the wind", an anime focused on the Hakone Ekiden!

@ratoso8430 5 күн бұрын

wow i was just thinking of rewatching that anime and didn't even realise it was based on the ekiden, its been a while.

@sleepyturtwig 5 күн бұрын

You all should watch it, if you love running, then this anime is the one for you. Watched it 5 times already and it's such a great anime to watch in terms of sports

@ratoso8430 5 күн бұрын

@@sleepyturtwig Honestly I watched it back when I didn't even think of running and still loved it. It's gonna be interesting watching it now that i understand a bit more, and seeing the times and stuff

@kemalluxia8305 5 күн бұрын

Just watch for the second time last week to get the thrill of running pump up 🤣🤣 running with the wind anime is surely one and only anime for us. Hope there is new anime series for running distance

@YeeChanMusic 5 күн бұрын

Excellent taste. Genuinely one of my favourite anime and what got me interested in running. Everyone should watch it.

@alisonS4708 22 сағат бұрын

Ekiden! Looks like fun! Excited to see you running along the same tow path I ran on my first visit to UK (last day in Oxford) a week and a half ago.

@Jamesy86 Күн бұрын

Been keeping an eye out for this. Great video and summary of the day, and good to meet you on the start line (guy with the awful ‘tache at 9:38). Massively impressive run.

@amandawalker4510 5 күн бұрын

Fabulous work everyone 🎉🎉🎉

@thesouthendrunner 4 күн бұрын

You are spoiling us with all this content Ben! Another great video. Bon speed

@ThatRunnerAaron 4 күн бұрын

This was sick mate, watched all of Sweat Elite’s recent content on the Ekiden so, it’s super cool to see this happening in the UK! Fantastic Ben, thanks for bringing this to us! Really hope this can take off!

@georgedickinson8553 4 күн бұрын

If people are interested there are lots of these kind of events throughout the uk just not called an ekiden and moreover a relay. For example the calderdale way relay where the run is along the calderdale way path with each runner competing in a different section. Annother example is on the isle of man there is an event called race the sun where teams of athletes have from sunrise to sunset to travel around the whole of the island in teams of 10 routes comprising of beach, coastal, road and footpath running with all proceeds going to charity always a cool event to be part of if you can get a team together!! Nice seeing ben at this one!!

@maikolmaikolmaikol 4 күн бұрын

That's it, my first thought was "are these guys trying to re-invent the wheel?". The most competitive club race in the UK is actually a 12-legs relay race of this kind. Maybe the "Ekiden" part means legs are longer than they would usually be, covering a longer distance, or a mix of trails and roads...so I think they will need to clarify what new they are bringing to the UK running world

@georgedickinson8553 4 күн бұрын

@maikolmaikolmaikol by the looks of it they are just using the name to try to give the event more attention and interest from runners when really it looks like a distance relay race using a sash as a baton. There are actually lots of similar events around the country which as you state are already very popular and well run events. No harm in having more of these events but I'm unsure how this type varies from others.

@jobanski 5 күн бұрын

You are soooo close to 100k subs! I think I speak for everyone here when I say we’d like to help celebrate! How can we all celebrate with you?

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Very close, hopefully in the next few weeks! I’m not sure any ideas? Maybe a live stream or something

@kathrynflannery2889 4 күн бұрын

Maybe everyone can give a shout out from the country they are watching from in the comments.

@tommylawlor2857 5 күн бұрын

Really enjoyed that video,great work as usual Ben.

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Glad to hear it!

@Leeroy49 4 күн бұрын

Point-to-point relays are cool, I'm doing another 250km 10person relay at the end of August. There's of course nothing like Ekiden especially considering the cultural value and quality. Still there are various relays around the world (Ragnar, Sunset, etc.)

@vivpm 4 күн бұрын

What a cool experience! Thanks for documenting.

@kemalluxia8305 5 күн бұрын

Ekiden!! Ganbaree!! Really wanting to do some relay like this 😢 and thankyou for documenting this uk ekiden🎉

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

It really was great, glad you enjoyed the vlog

@shelly478 4 күн бұрын

You are very inspiring. Thank you!

@Wolfman1250s 3 күн бұрын

What a cool event. Thanks for another great vid. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺

@Ray.J 4 күн бұрын

I was on a team that competed in the River to River Relay in Southern Illinois more than 10 times. 8 runners cover 80 miles. My first time I was runner #1, and eventually did all positions and some, multiple times. In that event, each runner runs 3 legs, each approximately 5K. Pretty interesting to run a hard 5K, then do it again after resting, and then again. Great fun though, and wonderful team-building. And amazing memories too!

@zyphal1371 4 күн бұрын

such a cool concept for a race. this video made me search to see if we have any in the US. great video as always, keep it up

@DavidBlack-ki5fc 3 күн бұрын

Saxon Shore Relay in Kent - 47 miles from Folkestone to Whitstable , teams of 4 or 5 and self navigating . Maybe first Ekiden but not this type of event

@pappamea4750 5 күн бұрын

Greetings from Sweden! 🇸🇪 You rock, Ben.

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@janetpaul8029 5 күн бұрын

Hello from America! That was so much fun to watch! Thank you!

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Hi Jane, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

@glostergains9094 3 сағат бұрын

Hi Ben, on the off chance you see this is there a possibility of you making your own clothing line in the future? Love the vids, very inspiring

@marclozada6740 4 күн бұрын

Great run ben

@nath9091 4 сағат бұрын

There's definitely UK Ekiden. There's one in Suffolk in Ipswich this Sunday my running club is attending and pretty sure its run for several years at least. Edit: Its been there for over 20 years, claims to be the only UK Ekiden and run by Ipswich Jaffas with 150 teams

@greensocool 5 күн бұрын

Your Ekiden call sign is now Speed Racer

@misterbelll 3 күн бұрын

Great job....👍👍 Is the Essex Way relay still going...I ran it a few times back in the day ...a brilliant event..🎉

@simonrunc8067 5 күн бұрын

Enjoyed watching that and well done!

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Simon

@BoilerUp9 5 күн бұрын

Cool event Ben.

@marciocampos7463 5 күн бұрын

This really takes me back to Run with the Wind, what a great anime

@michaelkeegan3631 4 күн бұрын

This is cool. Always wondered Nike Ekiden was about, now never enough to google it but at least now I know😂

@specsrcool 5 күн бұрын

How can they call this the UK’s first ekiden? My running club has attended one in Ipswich for years? Also very similar to the ‘Round Norfolk Relay’ that takes place annually

@dannydevito2587 4 күн бұрын

I assume it’s the first sanctioned event in link with an official Japanese community/body. I only assume this as similar things happen in some sports events in aus, hobby or local events aren’t counted.

@misterbelll 3 күн бұрын

Essex Way had a run like this for many years too...!!

@lincolnabel-ee7zh 5 күн бұрын

ben you are the most inspiring youtubers you helped me get my half down to 68 with all your vlogs and training videos it just helped me run more and faster

@ballerboi4980 5 күн бұрын

You run a half marathon faster than Ben? Damn, well cheers 😂😮‍💨

@viveknamikaze761 5 күн бұрын

@@ballerboi4980Lmao 😂

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Incredible, thanks for following along :)

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Not quite, I’ve ran 67 ;)

@lewangg 4 күн бұрын

Looks like an amazing experience but the route did seem quite sketchy lol. Including the gates being closed and some of the turns not looking very well marked. Definitely an important route to recon! Good job Ben!!

@mikew6840 5 күн бұрын

Phew, glad you didn’t do your ankle when you stacked it. Nice vid!

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Yeah I got very lucky! The long grass acted as great cushioning 😂

@Anna-xs5ph 5 күн бұрын

We did a ekiden relay with my club during lockdown the distance was a marathon which was 2x10k 3x5km and 1x7.2km

@ered_lithui 5 күн бұрын

Great race, love to watch Ekiden! This Max, I think I know him- he‘s that Zwift guy, I believe?

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

That’s him, The watt life

@kophotography895 5 күн бұрын

Great video again..

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@paulinho277 5 күн бұрын

This is huge. Well done Ben. When you started this channel, did you ever think you would run an Ekiden in the UK??? 😂

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Thank you Paulinho, I didn’t no but will definitely do it again next year. Maybe I can put a content creator team together

@paulinho277 5 күн бұрын

@@BenIsRunning great idea. Well done, it looked like so much fun, something different to add to your running CV

@Mr15ajhh 5 күн бұрын

Greetings from indonesia🇮🇩 love your video alot and being my inspiration

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@nhkz1005 4 күн бұрын

This is huge! Congrats Ben!

@_Tp___ 5 күн бұрын

Glad you got to enjoy my local trails 😂

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Apart from the rabbit holes 😂

@_Tp___ 5 күн бұрын

@@BenIsRunning I've never had a problem there tbh, think you just got unlucky

@toddday542 4 күн бұрын

Hi Ben, I just started running and let’s just say I’m not the slimmest person so do u have any advice on chafing issues. I’ve tried powders and lotions but nothing seems to work. Grateful 😊

@vayde 5 күн бұрын

Cool event!

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

Yeah something a little different, great to be a part of

@severiner7168 5 күн бұрын

Not watched your video yet but my cousin told me he did one in Paris and we were thinking of doing it as a family team next year if the dates work.

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

It was great fun. Would certainly recommend and was nice to do something competitive but completely different

@JohnBirtchetSharpe 4 күн бұрын

Love this , Do you know if its being covered by the BBC or anything like that ?

@Der.Geraet 5 күн бұрын

Ok - meets juri kawauchi 😊

@walk-york 5 күн бұрын

Hope you enjoyed your trip

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

I did indeed. Not really visited this area of the uk

@WIlkseykels 2 күн бұрын

Hahaha I see what you did there

@bendangjamir9547 5 күн бұрын

Ben try to bring up daily vlogs..

@thelongnguyen8062 4 күн бұрын

Wow, how much do you weight?

@michaelcaricoo 5 күн бұрын

Can someone explain to me why all the trails and fields have gates? I've noticed it in so many British running videos but as an American I have no idea why

@BenIsRunning 5 күн бұрын

It’s often because the fields have livestock in them so it’s to stop say a cow going for a walk down the river

@michaelcaricoo 5 күн бұрын

@BenIsRunning Thanks for the reply, kind of figured, we just don't have that many public paths going through pastures so wasn't sure