An Historic type of Race, Set to a Modern City... and Still Breathes that SAME Competitive Drive

Dermot H

NYC has a lingering IV, laced in competition, that never seems to bottom out. Even after a SUPER Thrill, when the NYCM has the last runner cross the line and you'd think its finally tanked the the system, the "Drive" still drips away. 

If you remember from high school, or from Olympic Track+Field Events, the Relay Race is a meticulous feat + FULL Throttle excitement. In a relay race, all competitors handle the exact same conditions and distance (still FAR more exciting than NASCAR). But what if the course sections were different for each member running? This type of road race actually does exists, and it does have a name...It is called the "Ekiden."

The Ekiden is a relay race, involving at least two legs, where no leg has the same length (and/or path conditions), and most courses require team members to engage ONLY one leg. This term (Japanese) was originally coined for transport communications during the late 1800s––since all communications being relayed did not have a clean set distance interval, or the same terrain to cover. The first race using this naming was in 1917, for a journey from Kyoto to Tokyo (about 510km) commemorating the moving of Japan's capital city. The Ekiden is still a popular race style in Japan, and also has been an established part of high school /collegiate track events.

The idea of Ekiden is slowing coming Stateside, but VERY slowly I may add, when compared to other relay systems (Ragnar relay as an Example). And New York City is fortunate to claim stake to hosting an Ekiden, thanks to the NYCRUNs Ekiden. 

I have found the idea of THIS type of race very intriguing and needed NO hesitation to give it a go last year. I had heard of uneven relays before, but never knew the exact name, and never knew where they were hosted––besides out of country. An extensive display of support comes through for every team in participation, and a non-fading excitement. Fellow Flyer Adam M, and I signed up as a dynamic duo (and both of us were deep under "disabled active list" at the time). 

The swath of runners was literally from EVERY KNOWN LRG in the City. The low count of participants, when compared to other races, did not deprive this race at all (I think it brought in more attention from the bystanders). Most of the competitors were comprised into 4-person teams, engaging both the tradition and giving a fresh set of legs to each leg. The competition came out extremely fierce, regardless of the leg they were on, but the runners held a surprisingly strong camaraderie attitude.

NYCRUNS Ekiden 2012

Most of you who know me are likely to know that I'm never eager about shorter runs, especially anything involving stampede sensations. THIS race, however, really left a mark on me. I knew after that race was over I would be looking to relive it all-over again.

A year has nearly passed since the race was run, and the 2-Man Band is gonna be back at it...Hopefully NEITHER of us be injury-laden come December.

...So what's making THIS race important otherwise for us (i.e., Flyers)?

Its not every race that an opportunity like this comes around. As tight-knit a Running Group as we can be, it's one of those races to really exploit the best that we got. And by exploit, I mean the capacity to get runners bonded to common goals AND ability to smother the ambient airwaves with "Go Flyers!!" We have some great distance runners, alongside some great short ground runners, and BOTH feats are desired for such a course. It screams for us to TAKE OVER.

I also must make an important note, after learning of some special news.

I mentioned competition somewhere here, right? Since NYCRUNs is hosting this race, they have also raised the stakes–– by making this a points race towards the NYCRUNS Interclub Challenge. A NEWSFLASH for those not aware––we are currently hovering 5th Place, close-by amongst other big-named local running clubs, but we have a very good (but equal) opportunity at nabbing 3rd Place before 2013s closing.

But WAIT...It's all getting better!!!

NYCRUNs this year is debuting a Half Marathon, on the same day (later time), called the "Frozen Bonsai Half-Marathon." This race also is a POINTS race. It won't be two full dreaded Central Park loops, like a pre-manhattan half, so don't fret on that mental course image.

We have an ever-great opportunity at snagging some serious points, all done in ONE day, through two events....And maybe, just maybe, pulling a BIG upset for 3rd Place!!!

And let's not forget, on the same day as the Ekiden and the Frozen Bonsai Half is the Shoe4Africa 5K and Kids Races directed by the Flyers own Coach Toby T, with all of the "profits" going toward Toby's on-going mission to fund and construct a Children's Hospital in Kenya!

-Dermot H.