Ekiden (駅伝) is a long-distance running multistage relay race mostly held on roads.[1][2] The Japanese term originally referred to a post-horse or stagecoach which transmitted communication by stages. The first ekiden was held in Japan in 1917 as a 3-day, 23-stage run from Kyoto to Tokyo for more than 507 kilometres, in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tokyo's establishment as the nation's capital (from its previous status as the shogunate seat Edo while Kyoto was capital city). Eki means "station" and den translates as "to convey". It was the name given to the old Japanese transportation system for government documents and officials by relay of horses or men. Ekidens are popular in Japan and have since become widespread worldwide.

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