This event is a distance relay race for students in years 7 to 12 where team members run different leg distances. Find out more about the event and how you can enter.

Who can participate

To run in the event, students must be

• enrolled at an affiliated school
• in year 7 or older

Where and when

Bonython Park.

Thursday 16 October, 2025

It is highly recommended for teams to arrive in enough time to walk the 1.5km course to see where intersections for distances are before the race briefing.

• Team managers to check in between 9.45am and 10.15am.
• A briefing for runners and team officials is at 10.30am.
• The race start will be shortly after the briefing.

Results

Results will be posted as soon as possible able the event.

Event format

The event is a distance relay race run by a team with not all team members running the same leg distance.

Runners must run in the order as listed on the runner names sheet (DOCX 77KB).

Order of running and distances

Junior and open teams total race distance is 20.6km. Order of running and distance for each runner is

• runner 1 - 5.4km
• runner 2 - 1.5km
• runner 3 - 2.8km
• runner 4 - 2.8km
• runner 5 - 1.5km
• runner 6 - 2.8km
• runner 7 - 2.8km
• runner 8 - 1km

What makes a team

A runner can only run in 1 team.

• 8 runners of 1 gender
• Students must be in year 7, 8 or 9 to compete in the year junior competition.
• Open teams can have students in years 7 to 12.

Pacemakers are allowed and they must wear a fluro top as identification. Pacemakers are not permitted to cycle.

Unofficial mixed gender teams

• can be entered in all age groups.
• must still have the correct number or runners.
• are not eligible for outright placings but individual times will be recorded.

If a runner is injured during the race the team can continue to run and finish the event. Notify the finish official of the injury.

Runner identification

Runners must

• wear a team shirt or singlet showing the School Sport SA athletics number or school's name.
• mark their running order (1 to 6 or 1 to 8) on the front of their left thigh in black texta.

Schools with multiple teams will be given coloured tape for runners to wrap around their left arm to identifying runners to the team they are in.

For example

• Red tape for open boys team A yellow for open boys B.
• White tape for junior boys team A, black tape for junior team B.
• Red tape for open girls team A, yellow tape for open girls team B.
• White tape for junior girls team A, black tape for junior girls team B.

Schools will need to bring their own textas.

The course

The ekiden relay course is various loops within Bonython Park and Linear Park as it follows the River Torrens into the city. The course is simple and flat with no roads crossed. The course will be marked out be either

• officials placed at key corners or changes of direction.
• dots along the pavement.
• arrows.
• signs.
• red or white flags.

Runners should be familiar with the course. Major points for runners to take note of.

• The start line is towards the downstream bridge from the finish line.
• The second lap of the 5.4km course is the same as the first lap of the 2.8km course.
• The changeover area is on the southern side of the finish bridge below the kiosk.
• All changeovers happen in the same direction apart from the last runner.
• The finish line is on the southern side of the bridge. All runners can meet their last runner on the northern side of the bridge and cross the line as a team.

Runners doing a 2 lap course it is your responsibility to get your arm marked by the officials. Do not go past without getting your arm marked.

How runners change over

1. The next runner waits in the designated area and moves into the changeover area when they see their runner getting closer.
2. Runners tag hands in the changeover area.
3. Finished runners then cross the track at the designated area opposite the timekeepers.

School timekeeper requirements and role on the day

• Each team must supply their own stopwatch and competent timekeeper to time each leg.
• For schools entering multiple teams it is recommended to have one timekeeper per team.
• Runner times are recorded on the team recording sheet (DOCX 76.6KB) when the runner moves past the cone outside the changeover area.
• The time must be given the to chief timekeeper as soon as possible after each leg is finished.
• School timekeepers submit the team recording sheet to chief timekeeper at the end of the race.

Entry fees

• $48.00 including GST per team for a junior or open team.

No payment is required on the day. A tax invoice will be sent to schools after the event.

Parking

Schools and parents can park in the paved area off Port Road. The area behind the police barracks cannot be used for parking.

Facilities

Water will be available for no cost at the changeover point and finish line area on the course opposite the bridge.

Food and drinks can be purchased from the kiosk.

Some shelter will be supplied but schools are to bring their own ground sheets.

Schools entering more than 2 teams should bring additional shelters.

How to enter

Schools submit the ekiden relay championship nomination form by Thursday 18 September.

First aid

A sports trainer will be there to treat significant injuries. Schools should have a first aid kit for minor injuries.

Presentations

Presentations are planned to start as soon as possible after the last team has finished but no later than 12.30pm.

Awards presented

• Plaque for the winning team in each category.
• Medals for members of the first fastest team in each category.
• Certificates for the fastest runner in each leg.

Runner preparation

Runners will need to train for the event.

When deciding who will run what distance schools should consider individual runner strengths.

How the ekiden relay started

An ekiden relay is a long distance relay race which is unique to Japan.

In ancient times a transportation system was developed which conveyed official government documents and officials by a relay of horses or persons spaced at various stations. This type of transportation system not only developed in Japan, but also in Rome, Persia, China, Inca and other ancient countries. The same transportation system also existed in the frontier age of America and Europe.

"Ekiden" is a Japanese term for the above transportation system and the ekiden road relay is a development of it into a sporting event.

In Japan from about 1920, various kinds of ekiden road relay races have been held. The ekiden race distance is not fixed. The longest distance for example is 1,000km run over 10 days and the regular type covers 42.2km run by several athletes.

Previous results and history

• Ekiden Relay current record holders (PDF, 224KB)
• Ekiden Relay record holders 1996-2012 (PDF, 225KB)
• 2024 Ekiden relay championships results reports. (PDF 491 KB)
• Ekiden relay previous winners history (PDF 254 KB)

Previous winners history