Alumna Inspires Year 7 with the Spirit of the Ekiden

Year 7 students enjoyed an inspiring visit this week from former student Anna Dingley, founder and CEO of the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden.

After leaving Charters Sixth Form, Anna moved to Japan to work, where she discovered the unique tradition of the Ekiden – a long-distance relay race that places teamwork above individual success. She explained how millions of people across Japan watch the famous New Year's Day Ekiden, which starts in Tokyo and finishes at Mount Fuji.

In an Ekiden, runners pass a Tasuki – a sash worn across the body – from one teammate to the next. The focus is on running for the team rather than for yourself. Originally a university competition, the Ekiden has grown into a hugely popular event involving schools, universities, companies, running clubs and professional teams across Japan.

Inspired by the spirit of the race, Anna founded the FT Nikkei UK Ekiden, which follows the Thames Path from Windsor Castle to Reading and back. This year, 17 university teams and 18 company/community teams will take part in the race on Friday 12th June.

Next week, our Year 7 students will experience their own version of the Ekiden during athletics lessons. Working in mixed teams, students will run as far as they can before passing the Tasuki to the next runner, demonstrating teamwork, determination and resilience. Students and staff demonstrated the spirit of an Ekiden race by passing a Tasuki from one runner to the next as they made their way around the sports hall.

Anna also shared the meaning behind the UK Ekiden logo: "ME" with a line through it and "WE" underneath, representing the idea that the team comes before the individual.

We are very grateful to Anna for returning to Charters and helping our students learn about this wonderful sporting tradition, which reflects our school values of Unity, Respect and Excellence.