This event is a distance relay race for students in years 7 to 12 where team members run different leg distances. Find out more about the event and how you can enter.

Who can participate

To run in the event, students must be

• enrolled at an affiliated school
• in year 7 or older

Where and when

Venue: Felixstow Reserve

Thursday 15 October, 2026

It is highly recommended for teams to arrive in enough time to walk the 1.3km course to see where they need to run before the race briefing.

• Team managers to check in between 9.45am and 10.00am.
• A briefing for runners and team officials is at 10.00am.
• The race start will be shortly after the briefing with the boys starting first then girls and mixed shortly afterwards.

Results

Results will be made available shortly after the championships finish.

Event format

The event is a distance relay race run by a team with not all team members running the same leg distance.

Senior boys and girls (year 10-12) start time at 10:15am with approximate finish time for the last competitors at 12:00pm.

Junior boys and girls (year 7-9) start time at 12:15pm with approximate finish time for the last competitors at 2:00pm.

Runners must run in the order as listed on the runner names sheet (DOCX 77KB).

Order of running and distances

Junior and open teams total race distance is 19.2km. Order of running and distance for each runner is

• runner 1 – 5.2km
• runner 2 - 1.5km
• runner 3 - 2.5km
• runner 4 - 2.5km
• runner 5 - 1.5km
• runner 6 - 2.5km
• runner 7 - 2.5km
• runner 8 - 1km

What makes a team

A runner can only run in 1 team.

• 8 runners of 1 gender
• Students must be in year 7, 8 or 9 to compete in the year junior competition.
• Open teams can have students in years 7 to 12.

Pacemakers are allowed and they must wear a fluro top as identification. Pacemakers are not permitted to cycle.

Unofficial mixed gender teams

• can be entered in all age groups.
• must still have the correct number or runners.
• are not eligible for outright placings but individual times will be recorded.

If a runner is injured during the race the team can continue to run and finish the event. Notify the finish official of the injury.

Runner identification

Runners must

• wear a team shirt or singlet.
• mark their running distance on the front of their left thigh in black texta.

Schools with multiple teams will be given coloured tape for runners to wrap around their left arm to identifying runners to the team they are in.

The course

The ekiden relay course runs along Linear Park and around Felixstow Reserve following the River Torrens. The course is simple and flat with no roads crossed. The course will be marked out by either:

• officials placed at key corners or changes of direction.
• arrows
• signs
• red or white cones

How runners change over

1. The next runner waits in the designated area and moves into the changeover area when they see their runner getting closer.
2. Runners tag hands in the changeover area.
3. Finished runners then head back to their school areas.

School timekeeper requirements and role on the day

• Each team must supply their own stopwatch and competent timekeeper to time each leg.
• For schools entering multiple teams it is recommended to have one timekeeper per team.
• Runner times are recorded on the team recording sheet (DOCX 76.6KB) when the runner moves past the cone outside the changeover area.
• The time must be given the to chief timekeeper as soon as possible after each leg is finished.

Entry fees

• $48.00 including GST per team for a junior or open team.

No payment is required on the day. A tax invoice will be sent to schools after the event.

Parking

Is available around Felixstow Reserve or along the northern side of Riverside Drive.

Facilities

Water refill station is near the basketball court on the reserve.

A food truck will be present for the purchase of food and drinks.

Tree shade is present, but schools are to bring their own shelters for rain or extra shade.

How to enter

Schools submit the ekiden relay championship nomination form. Nomination form due Thursday 17 September.

First aid

A sports trainer will be there to treat significant injuries. Schools should have a first aid kit for minor injuries.

Presentations

Presentations are planned to start as soon as possible after the last team has finished each race (approximately 12pm for seniors and 2pm for juniors).

Awards presented

• Plaque for the winning team in each category.
• Medals for members of the first fastest team in each category.
• Certificates for the fastest runner in each leg.

Runner preparation

Runners will need to train for the event.

When deciding who will run what distance schools should consider individual runner strengths.

Previous results and history

• 2025 ekiden relay championships results report. (PDF 586 KB)
• Ekiden relay previous winners history (PDF 254 KB)

Previous winners history