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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
Bonython Park.
Thursday 16 October, 2025
It is highly recommended for teams to arrive in enough time to walk the 1.5km course to see where intersections for distances are before the race briefing.
- Team managers to check in between 9.45am and 10.15am.
- A briefing for runners and team officials is at 10.30am.
- The race start will be shortly after the briefing.
Results
Results will be posted as soon as possible able the event.
Event format
The event is a distance relay race run by a team with not all team members running the same leg distance.
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 20.6km. Order of running and distance for each runner is
- runner 1 - 5.4km
- runner 2 - 1.5km
- runner 3 - 2.8km
- runner 4 - 2.8km
- runner 5 - 1.5km
- runner 6 - 2.8km
- runner 7 - 2.8km
- 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 showing the School Sport SA athletics number or school's name.
- mark their running order (1 to 6 or 1 to 8) 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.
For example
- Red tape for open boys team A yellow for open boys B.
- White tape for junior boys team A, black tape for junior team B.
- Red tape for open girls team A, yellow tape for open girls team B.
- White tape for junior girls team A, black tape for junior girls team B.
Schools will need to bring their own textas.
The course
The ekiden relay course is various loops within Bonython Park and Linear Park as it follows the River Torrens into the city. The course is simple and flat with no roads crossed. The course will be marked out be either
- officials placed at key corners or changes of direction.
- dots along the pavement.
- arrows.
- signs.
- red or white flags.
Runners should be familiar with the course. Major points for runners to take note of.
- The start line is towards the downstream bridge from the finish line.
- The second lap of the 5.4km course is the same as the first lap of the 2.8km course.
- The changeover area is on the southern side of the finish bridge below the kiosk.
- All changeovers happen in the same direction apart from the last runner.
- The finish line is on the southern side of the bridge. All runners can meet their last runner on the northern side of the bridge and cross the line as a team.
Runners doing a 2 lap course it is your responsibility to get your arm marked by the officials. Do not go past without getting your arm marked.
5.4km course description
Lap 1
From the start line, stay on the southern side of the river and run towards the city. Pass through the tunnel under the railway bridge. Go to the weir and use it to cross to the other side of the river. Immediately after crossing the weir, turn left and follow the dirt track back towards Bonython Park. You enter the tunnel which goes under the railway line. Upon exiting the tunnel, veer left then follow the path adjacent to the river until you get to the bridge at the finish line. Turn right and go up the curved pathway until you get to a fork in the path and a sign for the 5.4km first lap directing you towards the Port Road bridge. Follow this road, taking care of vehicles that may be using the road until you get to the Port Road bridge. Turn left to cross it and then left again to return to the start line. You must then start a second loop. At the changeover point as you start the second loop, your arm will be marked with a texta to verify that you have completed one loop and you are starting the second.
Lap 2
Stay on the southern side of the river and run towards the city, along the same course that you have already completed. Pass through the tunnel under the railway bridge. Go to the weir and use it to cross to the other side of the river. Immediately after crossing the weir, turn left and follow the dirt track towards Bonython Park. You enter the tunnel which goes under the railway line. Upon exiting the tunnel, veer left then follow the path adjacent to the river until you get to the bridge at the finish line. Turn right and go up the curved pathway until you get to a fork in the path and a 5.4km second lap sign directing you to the downstream bridge. The next part of the course is new to you. Cross to the southern side of the river using the bridge. Return to the changeover point.
2.8km course description
Lap 1
Stay on the southern side of the river and run towards the city. Pass through the tunnel under the railway bridge. Go to the weir and use it to cross to the other side of the river. Immediately after crossing the weir, turn left and follow the dirt track back towards Bonython Park. You enter the tunnel which goes under the railway line. Upon exiting the tunnel, veer left then follow the path adjacent to the river until you get to the finish line. Turn right and go up the curved path until you get to a fork in the path and a sign directing you to the downstream bridge. Cross the southern side of the river using the bridge. Return to the changeover point. At the changeover point as you start the second loop, your arm will be marked with a texta to verify that you have completed one loop and are starting the second.
Lap 2
Cross the river at the changeover point to the northern side (using the bridge). Turn left as soon as you are across the bridge and run 300m towards Port Road staying on the path adjacent to the river. At the fork in the path take the lower path and run towards the downstream bridge. Cross the river via the bridge (to the southern side) and return to the changeover point.
1.5km course description
From the changeover point, stay on the southern side of the river and run towards the city. When you reach the tunnel which goes under the railway bridge, don’t go through it, immediately turn left and follow the path up the slope. On the other side of the bridge, follow the path for another 35 metres then turn left, then soon after left again followed by a right turn. Follow the path adjacent to the river until you get the bridge at the finish line. Turn right and go up the curved pathway until you get to a fork in the path and a sign directing you to the downstream bridge. Cross the river (to the southern side) and return to the changeover point.
1km course description
From changeover point, head in the opposite direction to the incoming runner staying on the southern side of the river, run along the path (next to the river) towards Port Road. At the downstream bridge cross the bridge to the northern side of the river and turn right to follow the path going towards the city. When you reach the intersection at the top of the curved path, turn left and run towards the railway bridge. When you are 35 metres from the railway bridge at the point where it meets the 1.5km course, turn right then soon after left then right to follow the path adjacent to the river until you get to the bridge at the finish line. Turn left and cross the bridge as the actual finish line is the southern end of the bridge.
How runners change over
- The next runner waits in the designated area and moves into the changeover area when they see their runner getting closer.
- Runners tag hands in the changeover area.
- Finished runners then cross the track at the designated area opposite the timekeepers.
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.
- School timekeepers submit the team recording sheet to chief timekeeper at the end of the race.
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
Schools and parents can park in the paved area off Port Road. The area behind the police barracks cannot be used for parking.
Facilities
Water will be available for no cost at the changeover point and finish line area on the course opposite the bridge.
Food and drinks can be purchased from the kiosk.
Some shelter will be supplied but schools are to bring their own ground sheets.
Schools entering more than 2 teams should bring additional shelters.
How to enter
Schools submit the ekiden relay championship nomination form by Thursday 18 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 but no later than 12.30pm.
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.
How the ekiden relay started
An ekiden relay is a long distance relay race which is unique to Japan.
In ancient times a transportation system was developed which conveyed official government documents and officials by a relay of horses or persons spaced at various stations. This type of transportation system not only developed in Japan, but also in Rome, Persia, China, Inca and other ancient countries. The same transportation system also existed in the frontier age of America and Europe.
"Ekiden" is a Japanese term for the above transportation system and the ekiden road relay is a development of it into a sporting event.
In Japan from about 1920, various kinds of ekiden road relay races have been held. The ekiden race distance is not fixed. The longest distance for example is 1,000km run over 10 days and the regular type covers 42.2km run by several athletes.
Previous results and history
- Ekiden Relay current record holders (PDF, 224KB)
- Ekiden Relay record holders 1996-2012 (PDF, 225KB)
- 2024 Ekiden relay championships results reports. (PDF 491 KB)
- Ekiden relay previous winners history (PDF 254 KB)
Previous winners history
Year 7 to 9 boys winners history
2024 Christian Brothers College
2023 Christian Brothers College
2022 Brighton Secondary School
2021 Westminster School
2020 Saint Ignatius College
Year 7 to 9 girls winners history
2024 Tatachilla Lutheran College
2023 Tatachilla Lutheran College
2022 Mercedes College
2021 Westminster School
Year 7 to 9 mixed winners history
2024 Sacred Heart College
2023 Saint Ignatius College
Open boys winners history
2024 Saint Ignatius College
2023 Westminster School
2022 Sacred Heart College
2021 Sacred Heart College
2020 Sacred Heart College
2019 Mercedes College
2018 Cornerstone College
2017 No competition held
2016 Blackwood High School
2015 St John’s Grammar School
2014 Mercedes College #1
2013 Mercedes College #1
2012 Cornerstone College
2011 Cornerstone College
2010 Saint Ignatius College #1
2009 Saint Ignatius College #1
2008 Mercedes College
2007 Cornerstone College
2006 Cornerstone College
2005 Cornerstone College
2004 Cornerstone College
2003 Mercedes College
2002 Pembroke School
2001 Mercedes College
2000 Mercedes College
1999 Mercedes College
Open girls winners history
2024 Westminster School
2023 Westminster School
2022 Westminster School
2021 Westminster School
2020 Westminster School
2019 Westminster School
2018 Westminster School
2017 No competition held
2016 Henley High School
2015 St Mary’s College
2014 Mercedes College #1
2013 St Dominic’s Priory College
2012 Saint Ignatius College
2011 St Mary’s College
2010 Mercedes College #1
2009 Mercedes College #1
2008 Mercedes College
2007 Walford Anglican School for Girls
2006 Pembroke School
2005 Pembroke School
2004 Pembroke School
2003 Pembroke College
2002 Pembroke College
2001 Concordia College
2000 Mercedes College
1999 Pembroke School
1998 Mercedes College
Open mixed winners history
2024 Blackwood High School
2023 Blackwood High School
2022 Westminster School
Competitions no longer running previous winners history
Primary boys winners history
2021 No competition held in 2021
2020 Brighton Primary School
2019 Brighton Primary School
2018 Mercedes College
2017 No competition held
2016 Westbourne Park Primary School
Primary girls winners history
2021 No competition held in 2021
2020 Brighton Primary School
2019 McLaren Vale Primary School
2018 Saint Ignatius College
2017 No competition held
2016 Saint Ignatius College
Primary mixed winners history
2021 No competition held in 2021
2020 Brighton Primary School
2019 McLaren Vale Primary School
2018 McLaren Vale Primary School
2017 No competition held
2016 McLaren Vale Primary School
2015 Seymour and Prince Alfred College
