David Smyth joined team RW to experience the first UK Ekiden and delves into the history, culture and significance of the ...

KYOTO--With her team far behind, Sherry Drury took the “tasuki” sash in a national women’s ekiden long-distance relay race here on Jan. 15 and ran like a sprinter, her arms swinging wide.

Hatsumōde (first shrine visit of the year), osechi (celebratory feast) and Hakone Ekiden (what some people call the greatest race on earth): These are three of the Japanese New Year’s ...