The winners of the first UK Ekiden, a popular Japanese long-distance relay race, described their experience as “though” but “fun and special”.

The competition was made up of 18 teams of 10 participants each and followed a 76-mile (122km) route from Oxford to Windsor along the Thames Path.

Organisers said that from the university teams, University of Oxford had completed the race first in seven hours 48 minutes and 14 seconds, while Team Paris Marathon, which represented the running companies and clubs, crossed the finish line after nine hours 15 minutes and 7 seconds.

The event took place ahead of the state visit of the emperor and empress of Japan to the UK.

Other participating teams included Cambridge University, Birmingham University and Henley Rowing Club Runners.

The winners were presented with wreaths by the CEO of event sponsors the Financial Times, John Ridding.

“We’re thrilled to have supported this historic event which strengthens the cultural ties between Japan and the UK and demonstrates the value of teamwork, collaboration and international exchange at a time of divisions,” he said.

Two of the winners from the University of Oxford told BBC Radio Oxford that they were “all pretty pleased” and that even though it had been “tough” to run on their own in the heat, it had been “good fun, a good day out”.

“Knowing how big it is [in Japan], that made it special to be part of the first one in the UK,” they added.

UK Ekiden founder Anna Dingley said it had been “inspiring” to see the runners’ energy and endurance and to feel their “sense of camaraderie”.

“I think it’s going to be an annual event,” she said.

The UK Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, was also in attendance.