2026

We are delighted to be able to invite you to apply for entries to the 2026 Barker Gotelee Ekiden at our host venue of Ipswich High School, Woolverstone.

Many thanks to Barker Gotelee Solicitors for being our new sponsor of the event.

The format is detailed below:

• The Junior race will start at 09:30. Teams will be expected to complete the race within 45 minutes. Junior race limit – 50 teams – no limit on entries per club
• The Senior race will take place after the Junior race has finished at 10.20 with an expected race limit of 185 teams. This should mean that we can accept all entries
• Multi team entries – you can reserve your entries and finalise the details nearer to race date. Please email ekiden@ipswichjaffa.org.uk.
• Harwich have kindly agreed to time the race. Their system works on the chip being located in a baton, with one baton per team.
• Team registration – you will again be able to register your line ups through a web portal and make your own changes – https://portal.ipswichekiden.co.uk/.
• Full 2026 race rules can be found here.

Sponsors

For 2026 we welcome support from our new sponsors Barker Gotelee Solicitors.

History

Ipswich JAFFA have been staging the only Ekiden held in the UK since 1992, and it is now a well established fixture in the local racing calendar. It attracts runners from all over East Anglia, with the 2017 event having a record entry of 200 teams. There is a Junior Ekiden for those aged under 16.

The 26.2 mile race will be run by teams of six as a relay. Legs: 1 x 7.2km, 3 x 5km and 2 x 10km

Club teams and social and business teams are all welcome .