“Habitat Ekiden”, first charity long-distance relay, Report (3/21)

"Habitat EKIDEN", a long-distance relay organized by Habitat for Humanity Japan campus chapters took place on March 21, 2016 at Arakawa Saiko Park, Saitama Pref.
"Habitat Young Leaders Build (HYLB) 2016" is the youth-driven campaign on tackling the challenges of poverty housing. Campaign launched on the "International Volunteer Day" of December 5 and had its international culmination on April 2. This year marks 5th HYLB campaign and it is estimated approximately one million volunteers and participants from 16 countries and one region join. Youth will lead this campaign to volunteer, fundraise and speak out on the need for decent homes as a way out of poverty. Since Habitat for Humanity Japan has the largest number of chapters organized by university students over the Asia-Pacific region, it has been expected that youth in Japan plays and leads the campaign. During the campaign, almost 600 volunteers joined in the Global Village (GV) Program, overseas building program, to build homes for families to realize "a world where everyone has a decent place to live". Other than GV, youth had contributed to their community as a volunteer while they had advocated the need of decent homes for four months.
On March 21, "Habitat EKIDEN" took place, bringing more than 300 participants as a culmination event of HYLB 2016.
"Long distance relay is a sport which everybody can join. There is no barrier between genders, ages, whether you are good at it or not. Also running is a unique sport which does not need any gear. We wished this event would trigger to advocate the need of decent homes and to raise awareness of Habitat for Humanity. The characteristic of the EKIDEN, which a baton is handed to next runner, is similar to the Habitat that Habitat brings people together to build homes, communities and hopes." said Daisuke Miyamoto, a leader of this event.
On the day, it was chilly and sprinkling at dawn in the morning. However when the event was hold, the sun came out and we had a clear sky. Although it was the very first EKIDEN, total of almost 300 runners, volunteers and supporters gathered at the event. Also thanks to Mr. Yusuke Kogure of Aoyamagakuin University, a special guest runner who had run the most famous long-distance relay called "Hakone Ekiden" in Japan.


The entry fees to the event were donated to Habitat for Humanity Japan to realize "a world where everyone has a decent place to live". We thank you so much for all who supported the event including runners, members of Japan campus chapters, families and friends and Saitama Pref.