The 21st Tateyama Wakashio Marathon Race

Date: Sunday January 28, 2001 Weather: Cloudy then Sunny

Location: Tateyama city, Chiba-Pref.


Details of Race

Race	Full	Time Limit	5 h 00 m	2500 runners
	10 km		1 h 30 m	1200 runners
	2 km		20 m	300 runners
Entry Fee	3000 Yen
Contact	1145-1 Houjo Tateyama city 294-8601 c/o Tateyama City Board of Education,�@Secretariat of Wakashio Marathon Race TEL:0470-22-3111
Gift	T-shirt, Shoes Sack
Free Service	Sports-drink, Water, Banana, Bread & Candy
Remarks	Free shuttle bus available from JR Tateyama station. A bunch of rape blossoms is given to the runner.

IMAGES:

 
Reception Snowy ground

Booth T-shirt Design



Records & Impression

• On Saturday, we had a lot of snow in Kanto District after an interval of 3 years. In Higashi-kurume, the snow lay 6 inches deep.
• On Sunday, I left home at 5:00 AM. Due to snow, it was dangerous to ride on the bicycle and thus I was forced to walk to the station. The road was frozen and I was a little bit afraid to walk in the early morning.
• I took on the limited express 'Wakashio' which left Tokyo station at 6:45 AM. I bought the reserved ticket just one month before and that the reason why the reserved seat was Car No.1, Seat No. 1 & A (Window-side). The seat was the front row and narrow! I could not relax.
• It snowed along a railroad. Even at the station just before Tateyama station, it snowed. I started to wonder if the marathon race would be held.
• However, to my surprise, the snow disappeared when I arrived in Tateyama station. The weather of Tateyama city is so mild!
• I met my running mate at the station and got on the shuttle bus. It snowed a little on the grass of the playground. But there was no snow on the road. I was glad to learn that the race would be carried out.
• It was warm and breezing before start. Good conditions for running!
• The full marathon race started at 10:00 AM. It took 2 minutes to pass the starting point.
• I failed at Tsukuba marathon race since I sped up at the initial stage. This time, I tried to run slowly during the first half.
• Split time: 5 km---28 minutes, 10 km---58 minutes
• I could see snowed Mt. Fuji clearly this year while running.
• Split time: 15 km---1 hour 28 minutes. I could see Ohsima Island with snow far-away.
• Split time: 20 km---1 hour 54 minutes. Middle Point: 2 hours 02 minutes.
• At this stage, it was getting warmer and warmer. (Maximum temperature might be 13 degrees Centigrade.)
• Split time: 25 km---2 hours 25 minutes. I felt a little bit exhausted after 25 km point.
• Just before 30 km point, there was a big uphill road. I could manage to run up. Split time: 30 km---2 hours 54 minutes.
• During the downhill road, there was a voluntary aid station where rice balls and barley tea were served. I ate and drank with appreciation. I was refreshed there.
• The course merged with the road which I ran in the morning at 32 km point. There were several gentle uphill roads. From there, I felt very far-away until I arrived in 35 km point. I tried to catch up with young lady who was running in front of me. ( I finally passed her.)
• It was hardest for 3 km from the display '5 km to the goal'.
• Split time: 40 km---3 hours 54 minutes. I was thinking that I might run within 4 hours for the first time. However, my dream was broken at this pont.
• I ran as hard as possible during the last 1 km.
• Goal time was 4 hours 06 minutes 51 seconds (Gross). Although I could not complete within 4 hours, it was my best record so far. I was completely satisfied.
• Water supply points were set every 5 km. You can get sports-drink, water, bananas, bread, and candies there. I loved bread stuffed with cream.
• After the race, we had a drink party at Sushi restaurant near JR Tateyama station. The first glass of beer was very delicious! Then we drank hot Japanese sake. A lot of runners came to the Sushi restaurant one after another and completely occupied when we left the restaurant.
• We got on the train to be left on 4:48 PM with canned beers and One-cup Japanese sakes (180 ml- bottled sake). The party started again in the train.
• We met with the runner's group of retired people who sat the opposite box seats. We drank and chatted with them merrily.
• I returned via Musashino Line to see off my running mate. He left at Shin-matsudo station. When I arrived in my home, it was past 9:00 PM.
• There was still snow on the ground in Higashi-kurume. It was cold! To the contrary, Tateyama is warm, but very far-away!
• I have a new understanding that it is necessary to train constantly (i.e. usual training) and to control the running paces during the race in order to complete the full marathon race successfully.
• I felt muscles pains on the next day of the full marathon race. (I do not have muscles pains lately in case of half-marathon race.)

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