The 53rd Iiyama City Ekiden Relay Race – Cheer on the Runners Through Autumn Iiyama
A relay sash passed through the heart of autumn Iiyama
The Iiyama City Ekiden Relay Race returns for its 53rd edition on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Ekiden is Japan’s beloved long-distance relay, where teammates hand off a cloth sash (tasuki) from one runner to the next. This year’s 24.3 km course is split into 12 legs, starting at the Workers’ Gymnasium (勤労者体育館) and winding through the Kijima, Mizuho, Tokiwa, Okayama and Ota districts on the east side of the city, past the Chikuma River and quiet rural villages, before finishing at the former Togari Elementary School (旧戸狩小学校).
It’s a true community event: neighbors line the roads to cheer on local runners. Come out and join them!
Tips for spectators
When cheering from the roadside, please make sure not to get in the runners’ way.
- Traffic marshals will be directing traffic along the course
- Please do not cheer from or follow runners in a car
- Please do not park on the course
Road closures
Part of the course will be closed to vehicles during the race. Runners will be on the road, so please drive with extra care. The closure in the Mizuho district is expected from approx. 8:10 to 8:35 AM. See the map below for details.
Event details
Event: The 53rd Iiyama City Ekiden Relay Race (第53回飯山市駅伝大会)
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026 – starts at 8:00 AM (leading team expected to finish around 9:22 AM)
Start: Workers’ Gymnasium (Kinrosha Taiikukan / 勤労者体育館)
Finish: Former Togari Elementary School (旧戸狩小学校)
Course: 12 legs, 24.3 km through the Kijima, Mizuho, Tokiwa, Okayama and Ota districts
Parking: Start area parking (PDF, Japanese) / Finish area parking (PDF, Japanese)
Organizer: Iiyama City Ekiden Executive Committee
Official page: Iiyama City website (Japanese)
