Entry and team declaration for 2026 is now closed! To book your entry for next year and any further enquires please email ekiden@ipswichjaffa.org.uk.
The race will again be based at the prestigious grounds of Ipswich High
School. The course is off road, mainly on a mowed lawn course, road shoes are fine.
To enable us to manage parking we have a reduced entry of 185 senior and 50 junior teams. Clubs are limited to an initial entry of 10 senior teams. I will compile a waiting list and invite more entries if we can organize additional parking.
I will continue the booking process for affiliated running clubs who have supported the race in the past, who can reserve places and pay for them nearer race date.
The format is detailed below:
- Venue: Ipswich High School, Woolverstone, Ipswich IP9 1AZ
- Multi team entries – you can reserve your entries and finalise the details nearer to race date. Please email to book them ekiden@ipswichjaffa.org.uk
- The Junior race will start at 09:30. Teams will be expected to complete the race within 45 minutes. Age groups follow the new England Athletics gradings as follows:
- Juniors aged 11 and under on 31/8/26
- Juniors aged 12 and 13 on 31/8/26
- Juniors aged 14 and 15 on 31/8/26.
- The Senior race will take place after the Junior race has finished at 10:20. 15 year olds can run a 5km leg in the senior race. Under 18s can run a 7.2km leg or 5km leg but NOT a 10km leg.
- Team registration – you will again be able to register your line ups through a web portal and make your own changes. This will be opened in May 2026. Places are not secured until paid (unless agreed with the Race Director).
- Senior Ekiden Team: £60 – affiliated team. £72 for a non-affiliated/social team.
It is best to enter by email and settle payment using BACS. Payment of the entry fee secures your entry.
BACS payments to Sort Code 30 94 55 Account 68713860. Please show the team name in the reference field, the account is Ipswich JAFFA Running Club - Assistance on race day. If any club/team is able to offer people to help on race day then we are willing to either provide free entry for a team for each 4 hour commitment. This can be in the form of assisting with car parking, the junior race, marshalling, race management or manning a water station – subject to the support needed on the day. This will be a first come first served basis and when demand requires (so can be through the day, including early and towards the end of the event) Please get in touch with Robin Belsom if this is of interest – email: ekiden@ipswichjaffa.org.uk
- Distance: 26.2 miles run by teams of six as a relay. Each lap is an accurately measured 2.5k – run mainly on grass
- Teams: 6 runners, minimum age 16. Stage distances are: leg 1 – 7.2k – 3 laps; leg 2 – 5k – 2 laps; leg 3 – 10k – 4 laps; leg 4 – 5k- 2 laps; leg 5 – 10k – 4 laps; leg 6 – 5k 2 laps.
- Junior Ekiden – Start at 09:30: Teams of 4 running 4 x 1 mile legs – so 1 lap per runner. Children aged 8 and under must run with an adult. Team entry of £25.00 includes chip timing through a baton. The race time limit is 45 minutes. A medal for all juniors, and a trophy for each winning team (9 categories).
- Chip Timing: Harwich have kindly agreed to time the event. Timing chips are located in a baton which must be handed to the next runner at changeover. The chips will only trigger the timing mat if the baton is held in front of your body.
Trophies will be awarded (one per team only) to:
- 1st 2nd and 3rd Men’s and Ladies Open teams
- 1st 2nd and 3rd Mixed team (minimum 2 female runners to score)
- 1st Men’s and 1st Ladies Veterans teams (Female 35+ and Males 40+)
- 1st Super Vets (Male only aged 50+)
- 1st Super Vets team – (Female aged 45+)
- 1st Team over 60 – male/female, any combination accepted
- 1st and 2nd Team over 70 – male/female, any combination accepted
JUNIOR RACE – NEW AGE CATEGORIES
Junior Race: Trophies (1 per team) will be awarded to:
- 1st team – Under 16s (based on their age on 31/8/26) – male open, female open, mixed teams.
- 1st Team – Under 14s – (based on their age on 31/8/26) male open, female open, mixed teams
- 1st Team – Under 12s – (based on their age on 31/8/26) male open, female open, mixed teams
The team age is based on the eldest runner in the team, so 3 x 11yos and a 15yo would compete in the 14/15 category (as per our existing rules).
Mixed teams must have a minimum of 1 of each sex, so can be 3 boys one girl, 2
boys/2 girls or 3 girls and 1 boy.
Children aged 16 and over are not permitted to run in the Junior Race. Children aged
8 and under must run with an adult.
Dogs: We will not allow anyone with a dog on to the School premises.
Showers: We will NOT have access to the School showers or changing facilities
Catering: There will be a pay barbeque, refreshments and ice creams available.
Charity: JAFFA will make a donation from the race to local charities.
Many thanks to Ipswich High School for agreeing to act as hosts, and to Barker Gotelee Solicitors for agreeing to sponsor the event.
I am handling entries (Robin Belsom). Please get in touch if you have any questions: ekiden@ipswichjaffa.org.uk or Robin.Ekiden@outlook.com