A modern take on a centuries-old Japanese tradition is coming to Oahu during Mother’s Day weekend.
The Honolulu Ekiden, a 26-mile relay race for teams of up to six people, is an event that Gov. Neil Abercrombie hopes will become a hefty contributor to Hawaii’s economy and contribute to team-building spirit among participants from Hawaii businesses, organizations and schools.
When Abercrombie went to Japan in 2011 and met with some of the leading travel agencies there, "he wanted to see if he could initiate something similar to the Honolulu Marathon that helps the economy here," said Jon Nakata, nonprofit Honolulu Ekiden Foundation board secretary. "He wanted to know if we could do something similar."
Organizers point out involvement of some heavy hitters of local business, to ensure the "ekiden’s" economic success, including aio LLC founder Duane Kurisu (a minority investor in the Star-Advertiser), Grove Farm Land Corp. President and CEO Warren Haruki, Bank of Hawaii Vice Chairman Wayne Hamano and E Noa Corp. President Maki Kuroda.
This is the first Honolulu Ekiden staged by the foundation, not to be confused with the recent Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden staged by JTB Hawaii Travel LLC.
As it is a mass running event with hoped-for participation by 1,200 runners, the recent bombing at the Boston Marathon has raised security concerns.
"We’re meeting with HPD," Nakata said. "They’re going to provide security for the course and the runners."
Online resources trace the inspiration for ekiden races to ancient Japan and the Tokaido system of transporting messages over long distances, with stations posted at intervals along the road.
Ekiden races are a big deal in Japan, with regional competitions and a large, national race on New Year’s Day that receives nationwide media coverage, Nakata said.
Teams of runners in the Honolulu race can handle one or more consecutive legs of the race and hand off their chip-integrated sash at a sash exchange station along the route. Organizers will welcome individual runners, though the point of the race "is about working together and finishing together," said Shara Enay, race publicist.
Prizes are offered by category, including top corporate team, top student team and top individual finisher. The first team to finish will win round-trip tickets to Japan from Hawaiian Airlines, the title sponsor.
Five- and six-member teams will pay a $210 entry fee, but entry is free for high school and college students.
The Honolulu Ekiden Foundation is a nonprofit, formed "to promote peace and understanding" within the Pacific Rim, "especially between Hawaii and Japan," Nakata said. Funds raised will perpetuate the event year after year, and excess proceeds, if any, will be donated to local charities, he said.
There is as yet no final tally of how much it will cost to stage the race. "We’re learning as we go," he said.
The two-day Honolulu Ekiden event begins Saturday, May 11 with an exposition, packet pickup and late registration at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel.
Mother’s Day is the day of the big relay race, beginning at 5:30 a.m. from Kapiolani Park, along a 26-mile, USA Track & Field-certified course.
It wraps up with an awards ceremony and a Sunset on the Beach concert featuring Japanese bands including Kimaguren, Rip Slyme and Aqua Timez, produced by Otodama Sea Studio. Because it’s Hawaii, food booths also will ply potables and comestibles during the event.
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Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
