America's Ekiden

[1] In February 1988, athletes Steve Scott and Mark Curp were first announced to headline the inaugural America's Ekiden to be held on 9 April of that year over a distance of 50 kilometres (31 miles).

It was said to be the first Ekiden ever held outside of Japan, and featured $215,000 (equivalent to $553,894 in 2023) in prize money.

The course would start at the headquarters of the United Nations and run through Brooklyn and Queens before ending outside Tavern on the Green.

The all-star U.S. team finished 2nd behind Ireland, but ahead of Great Britain in 3rd and the Soviet Union in 4th.

[4] The second edition was run on a modified course that was 42 kilometres (closer to the marathon distance) rather than 50 km.