'Kanakuri Cup', named after the 'Father of Ekiden' Shiso Kanakuri, Created for UK Ekiden. Trophy Made from Reclaimed Noto Earthquake Timber Unveiled.

Pictured from left: John Ridding, Special Advisor to Nikkei Inc. and Chairman Emeritus of the Financial Times, who supported the founding of the UK Ekiden; Daisuke Arakawa, Executive Vice President of Nikkei Inc.; and Anna Dingley, founder of the UK Ekiden.

Ekiden Group Ltd. (represented by Anna Dingley) announced that the winner's trophy for the Corporate & Community category of the 'FT-Nikkei UK Ekiden,' to be held in the UK on Friday, June 12, 2026, has been named the 'Kanakuri Cup.'

The design and name of the trophy were unveiled on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at an event held at the British luxury craft brand 'LINLEY.' The trophy incorporates timber salvaged from houses damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, transformed into a new form through British craftsmanship.

The 'Kanakuri Cup' is named in honor of Shiso Kanakuri, known as the 'Father of Japanese Marathon' and 'Father of Ekiden,' who contributed significantly to the development of marathons and Ekiden in Japan. The naming was realized with the consent and cooperation of Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture, which serves as a liaison for Kanakuri's descendants.

On the day of the race on June 12, the 'Kanakuri Cup' will be awarded to the winning team of the Corporate & Community category for the first time. The moment the first team receives the cup will be a highlight of the day.

Background and Spirit behind the 'Kanakuri Cup' naming

The name 'Kanakuri Cup' was chosen for the winner's trophy of the 'Corporate & Community' category, which promotes international exchange and regional cooperation. The trophy will be passed on to the winning team in this category every year.

The name reflects respect for Shiso Kanakuri, the 'Father of Ekiden,' and a desire to carry on the Japanese Ekiden culture in the UK.

Ekiden is not just a race for speed; it is a competition that connects the thoughts and feelings of teammates through the 'tasuki' sash, handing them over to the next runner. The UK Ekiden aims to connect people, generations, and nations through this authentic spirit of Ekiden. We named the trophy the 'Kanakuri Cup' as a symbol of respect for the long-distance and Ekiden culture built by Kanakuri.

*Note: The UK Ekiden consists of two categories: 'University' and 'Corporate & Community.' The trophy for the 'University' category is named the 'Ridding Cup' in honor of John Ridding, Special Advisor to Nikkei Inc. and Chairman Emeritus of the Financial Times, who supported the founding of the UK Ekiden.

*About Shiso Kanakuri

Kanakuri was one of the first Japanese Olympic athletes (Stockholm 1912) and a pioneer who connected Japanese athletics to the world. He also devoted himself to the promotion and development of long-distance running and marathons. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Hakone Ekiden and remains an indispensable figure when discussing Japanese Ekiden culture.

Trophy Made from Reclaimed Noto Earthquake Timber Unveiled at LINLEY in the UK

The 'Kanakuri Cup' design and name were unveiled on June 2, 2026, at an event at the British luxury craft brand 'LINLEY.'

The trophy uses timber from homes damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The wood, donated through the cooperation of local residents, was reborn as a new winner's trophy through the craftsmanship of 'LINLEY,' the luxury craft brand founded by David Linley, a cousin of King Charles.

The event introduced the intentions behind the trophy's production, the significance of naming it after Shiso Kanakuri, and the meaning of carrying on the wood from Noto in the UK. Messages from Kanakuri's descendants were also shared, expressing their consent for the naming and their expectations for the UK Ekiden.

Rebirthing timber damaged in Noto as the 'Kanakuri Cup' in the UK symbolizes wishes for reconstruction, the friendship between Japan and the UK, and the 'tasuki' spirit of Ekiden.