Japanese university triumphs in second UK Ekiden

A runner from Birmingham University passes the relay sash at the halfway point at King's Meadow in Reading

Japan's Ritsumeikan University has won the second annual UK Ekiden race after front runners from the University of Oxford were disqualified for an illegal sash pass.

The 70-mile (114km) mixed-gender relay race takes place along the Thames Path in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

The race started at Maidenhead and travelled though Bisham Abbey, Henley-on-Thames, Sonning and Reading before retracing the route to the start.

Oxford finished four minutes and 28 seconds ahead of the Ritsumeikan team but organisers stepped in after spotting them pass their relay sash outside of the designated area.

Under traditional Ekiden rules an illegal sash pass sees the offending team disqualified.

Loughborough University came second and St Mary's University were third.

Anna Dingley is the founder of the UK Ekiden

A total of 15 corporate teams and 16 from universities competed.

"It's really exciting to see so many young athletes out on the route" said founder of the UK race Anna Dingley.

"This is year two. Last year we launched it when there was a state visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK - and it also coincided with the 100th Ekiden of one of the most famous ones in Japan, called the Hakone Ekiden.

"We've got more universities involved and we're making it a little bit more competitive for the athletes because Ekiden in Japan is a very serious running race."