About the Race
Each year, the Ivy League select team offers recent Ivy graduates a chance to compete in Japan at the prestigious Izumo Ekiden. An ekiden is a road relay race run in stages where each runner passes a sash called a "tasuki" to the next runner.
The Izumo Ekiden is the traditional start of the collegiate ekiden season and consists of 6 stages - 8km, 5.8km, 8.5km, 6.2km, 6.4km, and 10.2km. The trip was started in 1990 to foster relations and cultural exchange through sport between the USA and Japan.
The Izumo ekiden is highly competitive - on par or above the NCAA XC Championships - and offers a unique opportunity to compete against some of the best collegiate runners in the world. But the trip is much more than that.
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Being a member of the Ivy select team is a chance to connect with former competitors and teammates and form new bonds over the shared experience of traveling and racing in Japan. Lifelong memories and friendships are formed and you join a community of trip alumni (aka "Old Boys" or "OBs" as the Japanese say).
How to be selected?
Runners and alternates are selected in August based on their fitness and performances. Six runners and two alternates will make the trip. Alternates will have the opportunity to race a 5k on the track while in Japan.
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Interested runners should reach out to Jordan Mann (jordan_mann @ alumni.brown.edu) for consideration and additional information.