FEATURE: Japan's ekiden relay tradition takes root in Britain

LONDON - A Japanese running tradition, the ekiden relay, is putting down roots in Britain, where runners are embracing the teamwork and sense of responsibility at its heart.

Ekiden is a long-distance relay race in which team members complete different sections of a course, passing a sash from runner to runner. Inspired by the Hakone Ekiden, the biggest of such relays in Japan, a British ekiden has been held three times so far.