Imagine American cross country racing as a team-based road relay race. Except make it incredibly popular nationwide with a huge fan base and massive participation at every level from junior high to postcollegiate. Then add in generous corporate sponsorship that makes professional careers possible for many runners. This is Japanese Ekiden, and no Mizuno running shoes review would be complete without mentioning it. As for the Ekiden 11, it’s something like the ultimate shoe for its namesake race. Like other Mizuno models, the Ekiden is firm and responsive, and runs low to the ground with great ground feel. But it’s also incredibly flexible and almost unequaled in how light it is (a feather-light 5.2 ounces in a men’s size 9). The Ekiden 11 is designed with just one thing in mind: all-out racing for regional or national glory over distances of 5-10K on the road.