Nike Running Ekiden 2025 collection set to re-release: Where to get, price, release date, and more details explored

Since 1990, Nike has worked with Ekiden runners; earlier this week, the 2025 collection was revealed. Known for its distinctive colors and designs, the Ekiden series is a particular line of Nike running shoes and apparel. Some of the most sought-after pairs in the Swoosh's running lineup are from this collection, which was made to honor Japan's long-distance relay runners.

History of the Ekiden

The long-distance relay race known as the Ekiden was first held in 1917 and takes place between Tokyo, the current capital of Japan, and Kyoto, the country's former capital. The translation of "Ekiden" is appropriately "station to station." Nike honors this historic race and the athletes who compete in it by releasing a collection each year. These running shoes will receive a fiery treatment in the next bundle.

About the shoes in the collection

Nike Alphafly 3 'Ekiden Pack' (Image via Nike)

Four road racing versions are available this year: the Alphafly 3, Rival Fly 4, Vaporfly 3, and Zoom Fly 6. Each shoe has a fiery pattern at the toe with additional red and purple accents and is designed to improve strength, speed, and endurance. Nike claims that this flame graphic represents the torches used during the night legs of early Ekiden races as well as the inner fire of every runner.

The torches used during the race's night legs and the flame that burns inside the competitors served as the inspiration for the flame graphic. Some die-hard sneakerheads may also recognize the image. The flame motif was first used on the Air Streak Spectrum Plus, a legendary model from 2002 that also featured Japanese influences.

In 2018, it was revived with the Supreme x Nike Zoom Streak Spectrum Plus. Each shoe in the Ekiden Collection features Japanese kanji characters in addition to the flame logo, which serves as inspiration for runners to push themselves.

The collection's lifestyle clothing, which includes a chic long-sleeve t-shirt and a Nike Windrunner jacket, also features a unified design motif.

Sneaker design

With its own distinctive colorways and patterns, the Ekiden series is a special line of Nike running shoes and apparel.

The distinctive flames of the Zoom Streak Spectrum, a sneaker that set records in its prime, are included in the 2025 collection. The fiery pattern is applied to the toe of each pair, with extra red and purple accents scattered throughout. The top remains mostly white, but the Rival Fly 4 only uses the flames on the swoosh.

Release date and price

The Nike Running Ekiden Collection, despite being marketed as a 2025 collection, went on sale in Japan on November 22 and then globally at select retailers on December 4.