America's Ekiden Explained

America's Ekiden, also known as the Asics Cup America's Ekiden or the New York Ekiden, was an international men's ekiden (marathon relay race) held in New York City in 1988 and 1989. Said to be the first Ekiden ever held outside of Japan, it consisted of five-person teams from all 50 U.S. states plus a nation-wide U.S. team against seven other countries.^[1]

History

In February 1988, athletes Steve Scott and Mark Curp were first announced to headline the inaugural America's Ekiden to be held on 9 April of that year over a distance of 50 kilometres (31 miles). It was said to be the first Ekiden ever held outside of Japan, and featured $215,000 in prize money. The course would start at the headquarters of the United Nations and run through Brooklyn and Queens before ending outside Tavern on the Green.^[2] ^[3]

There were 305 runners at the first edition, which was held during windy and cold conditions. The early start time was coordinated to align with prime time in Japan. There were 53 domestic teams, including all 50 U.S. states plus teams representing Washington, D.C., New York City, and an overall U.S. team. The all-star U.S. team finished 2nd behind Ireland, but ahead of Great Britain in 3rd and the Soviet Union in 4th. The California team was the first non-national team to finish in 5th.^[4]

The second edition was run on a modified course that was 42 kilometres (closer to the marathon distance) rather than 50 km. It was again won by Ireland over the U.S. in what was described as soggy conditions.^[5]

There have been various attempts to host ekidens in New York City since, including the NYCRuns New York City Ekiden beginning in 2012 and the unsanctioned East River Ekiden over 50K in 2024.^[6] ^[7]

Winners

America's Ekiden winning teams
class=unsortable	!	Date	Athletes	Split	Team	Time	Ref
scope=row rowspan=5 align=center		9 April 1988		13:55		2:25:12 (50 km)
	23:03
	36:41
	42:48
	28:47
scope=row rowspan=5 align=center		9 April 1989		13:47		1:58:20 (42 km)
	30:28
	26:17
	20:00
	27:50

Stage bests

Best stage times per year
scope=col rowspan=2	Year	scope=col colspan=3	Stage 1	scope=col colspan=3	Stage 2	scope=col colspan=3	Stage 3	scope=col colspan=3	Stage 4	scope=col colspan=3	Stage 5
scope=col	Distance !	scope=col	Best time !	scope=col	Athlete	scope=col	Distance !	scope=col	Best time !	scope=col	Athlete	scope=col	Distance !	scope=col	Best time !	scope=col	Athlete	scope=col	Distance !	scope=col	Best time !	scope=col	Athlete	scope=col	Distance !	scope=col	Best time !	scope=col	Athlete
scope=row	1988	5 km	13:52		8 km	23:00		12 km	36:25		15 km	42:48		10 km	28:47
scope=row	1989	5 km	13:35		10.8 km	30:28		9.3 km	26:17		7.1 km	19:49		10 km	27:50

External links

Team results archive

Notes and References

Web site: INTERNATIONAL EKIDEN (MARATHON) RELAYS . GBR Athletics . 4 October 2024.
Web site: Steve Scott, the American mile record holder and Mark Curp, the nation's top-ranked road racer . The Journal News . 31 October 2024 . 30 . 18 Feb 1988.
Web site: Scott and Curp head U.S. in Asics Cup . The Morning Call . 31 October 2024 . 47 . 18 Feb 1988.
Web site: Irish Team Wins A Unique Relay . Newsday . 1 November 2024 . 345 . 10 Apr 1988.
Web site: Ireland reigns over U.S. in soggy Ekiden . Daily News . 1 November 2024 . 163 . 10 Apr 1989.
Web site: NYC Runs and the Central Park Ekiden . Juan Monroy . 10 October 2024.
Web site: Unsanctioned Racing Is the Most Fun You Can Have Running . Men's Journal . 10 October 2024.