THE MICHIGAN PRO EKIDEN IS BACK

Last year the Hansons-Brooks ODP, led by Kevin and Keith Hanson, hosted the inaugural Michigan Pro Ekiden in an effort to bring this popular Japanese team tradition to the United States. “We’ve been attending the CHIBA Ekiden for years and have always wanted to see an event like this in the U.S. - We plan to expand to more clubs each year and would like to host international teams in as well” - Kevin Hanson

The Michigan Pro Ekiden is a coed six runner relay covering 26.2 miles with leg distances varying between 5k-10k. Many of the best professional training groups in the U.S. will be in Rochester to compete on November 17 at Stony Creek Metro Park. Teams will race the following legs in this order - 6k women—5k men—5k women—6k men—10k women—10k men. The Stony Creek Park has been home to many key Hansons-Brooks team workouts since the team was founded in 1999.

The Ekiden is a rare chance for these professional groups to race as a team. “We train as a team and love the opportunity to race as a team” -  Lauren Paquette (NAZ Elite). The 2020 Michigan Ekiden was won by the Hoka Northern Arizona Elite team out of Flagstaff, AZ but they will have their hands full this year with teams from the Bowerman Track Club, Roots Running Project, Minnesota Distance Elite, and the hosts Hansons ODP team with the home course advantage. 

Notable athletes representing their teams:

Elise Cranny - Nike Bowerman Track Club

Grant Fisher - Nike Bowerman Track Club

Woody Kincaid - Nike Bowerman Track Club

Courtney Frerichs - Nike Bowerman Track Club

Jake Riley - Team Boulder

Natosha Rogers - Hansons-Brooks ODP

Scott Fauble - Hoka NAZ Elite

Frank Lara - Roots Running Project

Where to watch: RunnerSpace

Michigan Pro Ekiden 2021

Wednesday, November 17 - 1:00 PM EST

Stony Creek Metro Park - Washington Twp. Michigan

$50,000 in Prize Money

$20,000 1st Team

$10,000 2nd Team

$5,000 3rd Team

$2000 for the fastest leg of each stage ($12,000 total)

$500 for 2nd fastest leg of each stage ($3,000 total)

2020 Results

Press inquiries to Kevin Hanson - [email protected]