Ekiden 79 is a relay road running event held in Niort, located in the Deux-Sèvres department of western France. The main Ekiden covers the full marathon distance of 42.195 km. It takes place on a Sunday in late October, with the full Ekiden beginning at 09:30 and an entry fee of 60 EUR. A recent edition saw 187 participants, suggesting it functions more as a local team competition than a large-scale event.
The event offers three options: the full Ekiden, a 21.1 km Semi-Ekiden starting at 10:30, and a 12 km Nordic Walking event commencing at 10:00. While specific route details are not provided, the event brings runners and walkers together on the same morning in Niort. Ekiden 79 organizes the race, which is structured for teams to cover the marathon distance collectively, rather than a single individual completing it.