The 10th Kasumigaura Marathon Race
Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Pref.
Sunday April 16, 2000
Weather: Cloudy occasionally sunny

Races

Full (General & Blind Runners)	2000 (Started at 10:00)
10 Miles (General & Blind Runners)	500 (Started at 9:50)
5 km (General & Blind Runners)	300 (Started at 10:15)

 
Athletic Ground BannerT-shirt


Record & Impression

• I once joined Kasumigaura Marathon Race in 1997 for 10-mile race. It was fine and hot!
• It had been fine and warm. However, it was rainy on Saturday and cold. The rain continued until Sunday morning.
• I left home at 6:20. The rain already stopped. However, it was cold. The weather seemed to be as if it was in Middle March.
• I had to go to JR Tsuchiura station. I had to change the train at Nippori station. However, this time, I had enough time and I went to Ueno station, the starting station.
• It was a wise decision since all seats were occupied from Ueno station. Almost all passengers were runners.
• When the train arrived in Tsuchiura station, more than 90 percents of passensers were runners.
• On arrival in Tsuchiura station, all runners rushed to the exit of the station. It seemed to be rush hour. I wonder how a lot of runners were there.
• Those runners walked to the marathon site on foot in crowds.
• I was going to join my running mates at the registration area. However, there were so many runners that I could not meet them. I gave up and prepared for 10-mile race.
• The 10-mile race started at 9:50. (the start of full was 10:00.)
• A lot of runners lined up on the narrow street.
• No announcement was made before start. Just a noisy sound of firework notified start time.
• There were so many runners and it took 4 minutes to arrive to the starting point.
• Only after 18 minutes, the top group of full marathon race passed me although they started 10 minutes behind!
• They were so fast and the running form was differnt with me! ( I should not be impressed by them.)
• At the 8 km point, the course separates from that of full marathon race. The course becomes local road.
• The course is in the forest for a while. I could hear that Japanese nightingale was singing. It was really spring!
• Then the course is alongside the ponds of lotus roots near the Kasumigaura Lake.
• I could run faster than usual since the distance was not so far.
• I could continue to pass several runners. During the last 2 km, I passed more runners with my pace up.
• At the final stage, I passed a runner who wear T-shirt with signature of Ms. Akemi Masuda, an Olympic runner. I wondered if it had any divine favor.
• The final time was 1 hour 23 minutes 53 seconds. (Net time)
• The ranking was 1469th out of 3513 runners. I was satisfied with the result.
• The weather condition was best this time, because it was cloudy and neither hot nor cold.
• After all, I had no friend this time and thus I ate rice ball after the race. Then I immediately went to the Tsuchiura station to take on the train bound for Ueno at 12:07.
• Contrary to my expectation, the train was almost empty and thus I drank one cup Sake by myself. I enjoyed the trip by myself to Nippori station.
• When I arrived in my home, it was 14:20. It was earlier than I expected.
• I have a plan to join the full marathon race next year.
  
  About marathon race
  
  
• The course is almost flat. There are a few up-and-downs at the beginning when passing bridges. The course seems to resemble that of Narita POP Run race.
• There are two water supply points. Sport drink and water are avilable.
• Distance indication: Center point and every 1 km after 11 km.
• After the race, a banana and water are served.
• Certificate is issued immediatey after the race.
• Many female runners joined the race this time. It's good to run with many female runners not only for me but also for you!
• Sack, T-shirt and Pickled lotus roots were gifted.
• Presents were given if the runner came to the certain rankings.
• The fee for the race is \3,500, which seems to be expensive.
• The race is also famous for blind runners. A lot of blind runners joined the races. I fully respect both the blind runners and accompanied runners. I am of the opinion that it is wonderful to accompany the blind runner as volunteer work. However, to my regret, I am not ready as yet.
• Ms. Yuuko Arimori, who won the silver and copper medals at Olympic games, joined the 10-mile race as accompanied runner.
  
  By-talk
  
  
• If you join the race by JR train from metropolitan area, I suggest you to buy Holiday pass ticket to save money.
• You can buy 'Ume of Mito', famous dumpling, at the Kiosk of Tsuchiura station as souvenir.
  
  
  Split time
  
  

  8 km	45 minutes
  11 km	1 hour 01 minute
  Goal	1 hour 23 minutes

  
  

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