The Beijing International Women's Ekiden was an annual, international ekiden (marathon relay) road running competition held in Beijing, China. Formed in 1991 as the Great Wall International Ekiden Relay, the competition featured a six-stage relay race for women from 1991 to 2005, and included a men's race once, at its final edition. The race format had first, third and fifth legs at five kilometres in distance, second and fourth legs over ten kilometres, and a sixth and final leg covering the remaining 7.195 km of the classic marathon distance.[1]
The host nation China was the most successful team, winning nine of the fifteen runnings of the women's race. The women's course record of 2:11:41 was set by the Chinese team in 1998. Kenya was the sole men's winner, in 2:04:17 hours in 2005.
Editions
Edition in gold was held as the Great Wall International Ekiden Relay