America's Ekiden, also known as the Asics Cup America's Ekiden or the New York Ekiden, was an international men's ekiden (marathon relay race) held in New York City in 1988 and 1989. Said to be the first Ekiden ever held outside of Japan, it consisted of five-person teams from all 50 U.S. states plus a nation-wide U.S. team against seven other countries.[1]
History
editIn February 1988, athletes Steve Scott and Mark Curp were first announced to headline the inaugural America's Ekiden to be held on 9 April of that year over a distance of 50 kilometres (31 miles). It was said to be the first Ekiden ever held outside of Japan, and featured $215,000 (equivalent to $553,894 in 2023) in prize money. The course would start at the headquarters of the United Nations and run through Brooklyn and Queens before ending outside Tavern on the Green.[2][3]
There were 305 runners at the first edition, which was held during windy and cold conditions. The early start time was coordinated to align with prime time in Japan. There were 53 domestic teams, including all 50 U.S. states plus teams representing Washington, D.C., New York City, and an overall U.S. team. The all-star U.S. team finished 2nd behind Ireland, but ahead of Great Britain in 3rd and the Soviet Union in 4th. The California team was the first non-national team to finish in 5th.[4]
The second edition was run on a modified course that was 42 kilometres (closer to the marathon distance) rather than 50 km. It was again won by Ireland over the U.S. in what was described as soggy conditions.[5]
There have been various attempts to host ekidens in New York City since, including the NYCRuns New York City Ekiden beginning in 2012 and the unsanctioned East River Ekiden over 50K in 2024.[6][7]
Winners
edit| Ed. | Date | Athletes | Split | Team | Time | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 April 1988 | Marcus O'Sullivan | 13:55 |  Ireland |
2:25:12 (50 km) | [8] |
| Frank O'Mara | 23:03 | |||||
| Roy Dooney | 36:41 | |||||
| John Treacy | 42:48 | |||||
| John Doherty | 28:47 | |||||
| 2nd | 9 April 1989 | Marcus O'Sullivan | 13:47 | Ireland |
1:58:20 (42 km) | [9] |
| John Treacy | 30:28 | |||||
| Gerry Curtis | 26:17 | |||||
| Frank O'Mara | 20:00 | |||||
| John Doherty | 27:50 |
Stage bests
edit| Year | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | Stage 5 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | Best time | Athlete | Distance | Best time | Athlete | Distance | Best time | Athlete | Distance | Best time | Athlete | Distance | Best time | Athlete | |
| 1988 | 5 km | 13:52 |  Steve Scott (USA)
|
8 km | 23:00 | John Gregorek (USA)
|
12 km | 36:25 | Pat Porter (USA)
|
15 km | 42:48 |  John Treacy (IRL)
|
10 km | 28:47 | John Doherty (IRL)
|
| 1989 | 5 km | 13:35 | Steve Scott (USA)
|
10.8 km | 30:28 | John Treacy (IRL)
|
9.3 km | 26:17 | Gerry Curtis (IRL)
|
7.1 km | 19:49 | Keith Brantly (USA)
|
10 km | 27:50 | John Doherty (IRL)
|
References
edit- ^ "INTERNATIONAL EKIDEN (MARATHON) RELAYS". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Steve Scott, the American mile record holder and Mark Curp, the nation's top-ranked road racer". The Journal News. 18 Feb 1988. p. 30. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Scott and Curp head U.S. in Asics Cup". The Morning Call. 18 Feb 1988. p. 47. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Irish Team Wins A Unique Relay". Newsday. 10 Apr 1988. p. 345. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Ireland reigns over U.S. in soggy Ekiden". Daily News. 10 Apr 1989. p. 163. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "NYC Runs and the Central Park Ekiden". Juan Monroy. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Unsanctioned Racing Is the Most Fun You Can Have Running". Men's Journal. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "ARRS recap for race #10044". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #10045". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #10046". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #10047". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #10048". Association of Road Racing Statisticians.
- ^ "ARRS recap for race #7200". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #7201". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #7202". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #7203". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. "ARRS recap for race #7204". Association of Road Racing Statisticians.