Historic Record Attempt

A handpicked six-member Kenyan athletics team is in Paris this week with a singular, ambitious goal: to shatter the 20-year-old men's world record for the marathon road relay, popularly known as the Ekiden. The squad, comprising John Lomoni, Amos Kipkemoi, Meshack Lelgut, Brian Kibor, Ezra Ondiso, and Elisha Kiprop, will compete at the Ekiden de Paris on Friday, 31st October 2025, EAT, on a course that starts and finishes near the iconic Eiffel Tower.

The team is targeting a time of 1 hour and 56 minutes, aiming to break the current world record of 1:57:06. That formidable time was set on Wednesday, 23rd November 2005, by another Kenyan team at the International Chiba Ekiden in Japan. The 2005 record-setting squad featured a lineup of stars including Josephat Ndambiri, Martin Mathathi, Daniel Mwangi, Mekubo Mogusu, Onesmus Nyerere, and anchor John Kariuki, who collectively ran 50 seconds faster than the previous world best.

The Ekiden Format: A Test of Team Strategy

Originating in Japan, the Ekiden is a unique and demanding relay format that covers the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres, divided among six athletes. The now-standard leg distances, used for record purposes, are 5km, 10km, 5km, 10km, 5km, and a final anchor leg of 7.195km. This structure tests not only individual speed but also team strategy, as runners with different strengths—sprinters for the shorter legs and endurance specialists for the 10km sections—must perform optimally. Instead of a baton, runners pass a traditional cloth sash known as a 'tasuki'.

The Paris squad is a blend of youth and experience, with some members like John Lomoni having been infants when the current record was established. Their preparation has been intense, utilizing national events like the cross country championships to hone their fitness for this specific challenge. Breaking the record will require an extraordinary collective effort, averaging a blistering pace of approximately 2 minutes and 46 seconds per kilometre over the entire marathon distance.

Kenya's Enduring Legacy in Road Relays

Kenya's dominance in the Ekiden format is well-documented. The nation has a rich history of producing teams that have excelled in international road relays, from the IAAF World Road Relay Championships in the 1990s to the prestigious Chiba Ekiden, which Kenya won multiple times. The 2005 Chiba race was particularly historic, as not only did the Kenyan men's team set the world record, but the women's team, anchored by marathon great Catherine Ndereba, also secured victory.

The enduring presence of Kenyan athletes in Japanese Ekiden races, both at the corporate and university levels, has been a significant feature of the sport since the late 1980s. This deep-rooted connection has provided a platform for many Kenyan runners to launch their international careers.

Implications for Kenyan Athletics

A successful attempt in Paris would be a monumental achievement for Kenyan athletics. It would not only reclaim a prestigious world record but also serve as a powerful statement of the country's unparalleled depth of talent in long-distance running. While individual marathon stars often capture the headlines, a victory in the Ekiden showcases the collective strength and collaborative spirit of a nation that continues to be the global powerhouse of road racing.

The world will be watching as this new generation of Kenyan road stars attempts to etch their names into the history books, chasing a record set by legends of the sport two decades ago. Success would reaffirm Kenya's athletic supremacy and provide a moment of national pride, celebrating a legacy of running excellence that continues to inspire.