Photo: Howard N2GOT · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Nevers Marathon by Nexson
Magny-Cours, France
November 21, 2026 to November 22, 2026Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km4.41 km
CastlesCity Run+8
Running Theme (Team Spirit, Family & Inclusion)
Ekiden Relay Race Calendar & Dates 2026-2027
Traditional six-runner marathon relay following the Japanese Ekiden distances of 5K, 10K, 5K, 10K, 5K, and 7.195K. Browse 55 events (18 confirmed dates) and 266 races from 0.8 km to 400 km.
Events5518 confirmed dates
Competitions266Races & courses
Distances0.8 - 400 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+25,000 m D+Course elevation profile
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Howard N2GOT · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Pi Marathon
Paris, France
March 14, 2027Date confirmed
14 km
City RunCulture & History+5
Photo: gadl · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Ekiden de Montgeron
Montgeron, France
March 28, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km10 km
City RunPublic Park+1
Photo: Myrabella · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Ekiden de Toulouse
Toulouse, France
April 4, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km
City RunCulture & History+4
Photo: marek7400 · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWorld Athletics Label
DOZ Marathon Łódź
Łódź, Poland
April 9, 2027 to April 11, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km10 km
Kids & Youth RacesRelay+5
Photo: gadl · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Ekiden de Roissy Pays de France
Roissy-en-France, France
April 25, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km
Lakes & PondsRelay+3
Photo: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWalking & HikingChallenge de la Convivialité
Marathon of the Valais Region BCVS
Martigny, Switzerland
Date to be announcedDate TBA
42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km+2
FestiveForest+11
Photo: Carsten Steger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningWalking & Hiking
Festicap - Marathon de Guécélard
Guécélard, France
Date to be announcedDate TBA
42.2 km21.1 km11 km4.25 km
City RunForest+4
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
November 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 - Nov 22, 2026 | Nevers Marathon by Nexson | Magny-Cours, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km4.41 km |
March 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 14, 2027 | Pi Marathon | Paris, Île-de-France, FR | Road Running | 14 km |
| Mar 28, 2027 | Ekiden de Montgeron | Montgeron, Île-de-France, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km10 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 2027 | Ekiden de Toulouse | Toulouse, Occitanie, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km |
| Apr 9, 2027 - Apr 11, 2027 | DOZ Marathon Łódź | Łódź, Łódź Voivodeship, PL | Road Running | 42.2 km10 km |
| Apr 25, 2027 | Ekiden de Roissy Pays de France | Roissy-en-France, Île-de-France, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km |
Date to be announced
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date to be announced | Marathon of the Valais Region BCVS | Martigny, Canton of Valais, CH | Road RunningWalking & Hiking | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km |
| Date to be announced | Festicap - Marathon de Guécélard | Guécélard, Pays de la Loire, FR | Road RunningWalking & Hiking | 42.2 km21.1 km11 km4.25 km |
| Date to be announced | Montpellier Run Festival | Montpellier, Occitanie, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km |
| Date to be announced | Festival Grandes Heures Nature | Besançon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, FR | MultisportRoad Running | 55 km42.2 km30 km16.5 km |
| Date to be announced | Montreux Trail Festival | Montreux, Canton of Vaud, CH | Trail Running | 400 km102 km66 km30 km |
| Date to be announced | Almaty Marathon |  Almaty, Almaty, KZ | Road RunningNordic Walking | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
Traditional six-runner marathon relay following the Japanese Ekiden distances of 5K, 10K, 5K, 10K, 5K, and 7.195K. In the RunningCompass calendar, the Ekiden Relay theme currently spans 55 public events and 266 individual competitions, including 18 confirmed editions for 2026-2027. Six teammates share the exact 42.195 km marathon distance by passing the traditional sash (tasuki) at each exchange. Primary disciplines include Road Running, Walking & Hiking, and Multisport with race distances from 0.8 km to 400 km.
Fast out-and-back or loop courses anchored by a central exchange zone create high-energy team support. Across the catalog, the most demanding courses in this category feature up to +25,000 m of climbing. Leading host destinations include Magny-Cours, Paris, Montgeron, and Toulouse. Notable events in this category include Nevers Marathon by Nexson, Pi Marathon, and Ekiden de Montgeron. Every event page includes an interactive course map, elevation telemetry, GPX track downloads, and direct filters for date, distance, and destination.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What defines Ekiden Relay events and how many races are listed in the calendar?
Traditional six-runner marathon relay following the Japanese Ekiden distances of 5K, 10K, 5K, 10K, 5K, and 7.195K. RunningCompass currently lists 55 events with 266 individual competitions under the Ekiden Relay theme. A total of 18 events have confirmed dates for the 2026-2027 season, alongside additional races with full course profiles for season planning.
What distances and disciplines are typical for Ekiden Relay races?
Six teammates share the exact 42.195 km marathon distance by passing the traditional sash (tasuki) at each exchange. The 266 listed competitions span distances from 0.8 km to 400 km, led by Road Running, Walking & Hiking, and Multisport. You can narrow the calendar by 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, or ultra distance brackets using the search filters.
What terrain, elevation profile, and preparation should I expect for Ekiden Relay?
Fast out-and-back or loop courses anchored by a central exchange zone create high-energy team support. Races in this theme reach up to +25,000 m of climbing. Each event detail page provides interactive course maps, elevation gain and loss metrics, altitude ranges, and downloadable GPX files to help you plan pacing and gear.
Where do Ekiden Relay events take place and how can I filter by region and date?
Leading host destinations include Magny-Cours, Paris, Montgeron, and Toulouse. Notable events in this category include Nevers Marathon by Nexson, Pi Marathon, and Ekiden de Montgeron. Using the monthly calendar groups on this page or the linked interactive map explorer, you can filter all 55 events by country, region, month, and distance.