Yokota Striders hosted 31st Annual Ekiden Run

Runners participate in the 31st annual Ekiden 5K Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. The Yokota Striders running club sponsored the annual Ekiden Run consisting of three different races at this event: a 4-person 5k relay, 5k race, and 2k Kid’s Run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released) 

A disabled runner enjoys the 31st annual Ekiden 5K Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. More than 5,800 runners and their families from on- and off-base participated in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)

Runners participate in the 31st annual Ekiden Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. The Yokota Striders running club sponsored the annual Ekiden Run consisting of three different races at this event: a 4-person 5k relay, 5k race, and 2k Kid’s Run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)

Runners participate in the 31st annual Ekiden 5k run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. The Yokota Striders running club sponsored the annual Ekiden Run consisting of three different races at this event: a 4-person 5k relay, 5k race, and 2k Kid’s Run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)

The Yokota Striders Running Club sponsored the 31st annual Ekiden Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. The event was open to the public allowing over 5,800 runners and their families from on- and off-base the opportunity to run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released) 

Runners participate in the 31st annual Ekiden Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. The Yokota Striders running club sponsored the annual Ekiden Run consisting of three different races at this event: a 4-person 5k relay, 5k race, and 2k Kid’s Run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released) 

A runner finished a 5k relay run during the 31st annual Ekiden Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. The Yokota Striders running club sponsored the annual Ekiden Run consisting of three different races at this event: a 4-person 5k relay, 5k race, and 2k Kid’s Run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released) 

An Ekiden runner hands off a tasuki, a cloth sash, to the next runner during the 31st Annual Ekiden race at Yokota Air Base, Japan. More than 5,800 runners participated in the event sponsored by the Yokota Striders Running Club. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released) 

An Ekiden runner hands off a tasuki, a cloth sash, to the next runner during the 31st Annual Ekiden race at Yokota Air Base, Japan. More than 5,800 runners participated in the event sponsored by the Yokota Striders Running Club. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released) 

A runner crosses the finish line in 2nd place during the 31st Annual Ekiden Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. More than 5,800 runners participated in the event sponsored by the Yokota Striders Running Club. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)

More than 5,800 runners participate in the 31st annual Ekiden Run at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 7, 2015. The Yokota Striders running club sponsored the annual Ekiden Run consisting of three different races at this event: a 4-person 5k relay, 5k race, and 2k Kid's Run.