For a couple of years now, Nike has released an 'Ekiden' Pack; In celebration of Japan’s long standing love affair with distance running, 'Ekiden' (駅伝) is a Japanese word which refers to the unique sport of long-distance relay racing. Ekiden could be roughly translated as ''station to station''. The original meaning of the word is reflected in race rules, where each runner at the end of their run has to pass a sash to the next runner.

The pack includes some of the Swoosh’s top-of-the-line road runners: the Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2, Zoom X Vaporfly NEXT% 2, Zoom Fly 5 and Air Zoom Pegasus 39. Unveiled for the first time during a Nike event held for the Japanese media, the 2023 edition will see the 5 (four for us) -pair pack arrive in a predominantly green colourway, diverging from the usual sun-soaked make-ups of past releases. The Swooshes across the pairs were evidently designed in the image of the dragonfly’s wings, integrated with a reflective sheen that gives off an iridescent gleam under light. The Ekiden motif is presented via symbols imprinted on the insoles, midsoles, and heel. The aforementioned dragonfly serves as the inspiration for the pack for the meaning it embodies in Japan. Known as “kachimushi” or victory insect, its admired not only for its hunting prowess, but also for its nature, never knowing to retreat. It’s able to fly fast, it’s agile, it can hover, but it can never fly backwards.

Nike's 2023 'Ekiden' pack is available now, in-store and online.