by Elijah Lavett – EM TV Sports, Port Moresby
The Japan-PNG Ekiden Preparatory Committee held workshops at the Ward Strip Primary School and Gordons Secondary School in Port Moresby today, to demonstrate and promote the relay sport of Ekiden.
Traditionally practised in Japan, the long-distance race, similar to a marathon, is gaining traction in other parts of the world, with students at Gordons Secondary competing in the first ever race held in Papua New Guinea.
Varying from a traditional relay, participants wear a cloth sash and forego the traditional baton.
Ekiden Preparatory Committee Volunteer, Oliver Nombri, spoke to the students from both schools on the history of the Sport.
Present today was Triathlon Olympian Hiroyuki Nishiruschi who demonstrated to the students how the sash is worn.
Each team consists of four members, with male and females having their own team.
Participants are usually aged between 18- 25, however, it is open to younger and older categories as well.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZjypGI7awbc%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
