Rupert House celebrates the Ekiden

Ekiden is a Japanese long-distance relay race, where runners pass a sash (tasuki) instead of a baton. The word combines "eki" (station) and "den" (to convey), reflecting its origins in ancient courier systems. Now a popular sport in Japan and beyond, ekiden blends tradition with team endurance racing.

In the UK event this year, 15 university and 15 corporate-sponsored teams will race along the scenic Thames Path, covering 114km from Windsor to Reading and back. The course is split into 10 legs (5–15km each), with tasuki sash handovers, challenging teams to strategically assign runners based on their strengths.

From sushi tasting, origami and geography, to even completing their own Ekiden, the children have shown wonderful curiosity and enthusiasm for this fascinating country.

In Reception, the highlight was trying sushi at lunchtime—yum! The children also learned about the Japanese flag, carefully colouring in the red sun and discovering its meaning.

Year 1 explored natural wonders like Mount Fuji, volcanoes, and earthquakes. They practiced counting to three in Japanese and were especially intrigued by the traditional kimono.

In Year 2, students got creative with origami, folding square paper into adorable cats. They were captivated by the shape of Japan—spotting its dragon-like outline on the map—and loved learning it’s part of the continent of Asia.

Year 3 became mini-researchers, diving into atlases and the internet to compare Japan with the UK. They uncovered fun facts like Japan’s highest peak, longest river, and national sport, sparking great discussions about geography and culture.

In Year 4, the children confidently counted to ten in Japanese and mastered more origami techniques. They listened to the story of the Koi fish for Children’s Day and enjoyed an eye-opening video tour of Japan’s landscapes and traditions.

Year 5 took on a Japan-themed quiz and independently created eye-catching fact files packed with fascinating discoveries from their research.

Finally, in Year 6, the children competed in a lively Kahoot quiz, researched Japanese culture in depth, and designed colourful posters showcasing everything they learned—including writing “Hello” in Japanese!

A big thank you to Barry and his team for preparing delicious Japanese food for all to enjoy—it truly brought the week to life!

 

The Rupert House Ekiden

The Rupert House Ekiden is an exciting whole-school relay event designed to promote teamwork, perseverance, and house spirit across all year groups, from Nursery to Year 6. Inspired by the traditional Japanese long-distance relay race, our Ekiden has been adapted into a series of mini-relays, with each year group contributing to their house’s overall performance.

Children in Nursery and Reception will run distances ranging from 50m to 200m. Year 1 and 2 pupils will each complete a 200m leg, followed by Year 3 and 4 children running 400m, and Year 5 and 6 competitors taking on 600m legs. Altogether, the combined efforts of all participants will cover nearly 60 kilometres!

Each year group will run their Ekiden relay as a team, and the total time taken by each house across all year groups will be calculated to determine the winning house. It's a fantastic opportunity for every child to play a vital role in their house’s success and celebrate our vibrant school community through healthy competition and fun.

The Rupert House Ekiden draws inspiration from the UK Ekiden, embracing the values of teamwork, perseverance, and cultural exchange. By participating in our own mini-ekidens, students not only engage in physical activity but also connect with a global tradition that emphasises unity and collective effort.

As the UK Ekiden passes through Henley this Friday, it serves as a reminder of the power of sport to bring communities together and celebrate shared values. Whether you're cheering on our Rupert House runners or supporting the teams along the Thames Path, the spirit of ekiden is alive and well in our community.