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Fukuroi Crown Melon Marathon Race (The 15th)

Date : Sunday December 14, 2003 Weather : Fine

Location : Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Pref. (15 minutes on foot from Aino Station of JR Tokaido Line)


Details of Races

Race	Full	Time Limit	5 hours	1,500 Runners
	10 km		*	1,000 Runners
	3 km		*	500 runners
Entry Fee	Yen 4,000
Contact	Secreariat of the marathon race, 2-7 Izumimachi Fukuroi City 437 0062 Shizuoka Pref. Tel : 0538-44-1731
Gift	Towel
Free service	Water, Sport Drink
Remarks	Water supply points : every 7 km

Images

 
Shizuoka Stadium Opening Ceremony


Records & Impression

• In the afternoon on Saturday, I took on the local train bound for Atami from Tokyo Station. I changed the train at Atami and arrived in Shizuoka Station around 18:00. It's too far by local trains.
• I stayed one night at the business hotel near the station by myself. I bought food at the super market near the hotel. I took dinner in the room with one cup Japanese Sake! I immediately went asleep and went to bed around 20:30!
• On Sunday, I wakened up at 5:30 and checked out the hotel at 6:30. I took on the train bound for Hamamatsu at 7:00. I reached Aino Station around 8:00.
• Aino Station was built just a few years ago and very new! There was no shop in front of the station. I could find only one convenience store approx. 300 meters away from the station. All I could see were flags advertising the land for sale in lots.
• I arrived in the Shizuoka Stadium on the hill after walking approx. 15 minutes. The stadium was built when the world cup soccer game was held a few years ago! It was very nice and gorgeous.
• After finishing the registration, I changed the wears at the stadium.
• Opening ceremony started from 8:30. I was surprised when the national anthem was sung and the national flag was hoisted since this was my first experience in such a situation.
• Full marathon race started from the track of the stadium from 9:30. It was fine, windy and a little bit cold.
• The course was first set around the stadium. Then runners had to run northward thru Aino Station. I could see the beautiful Mt. Fuji with snow far away when I went out the stadium.
• After passing Aino Station, the runners ran among the rice field. The course turned right and left several times. Sometimes, I had to face the cold wind.
• After passing 10 km point, I started to feel some pains at the left knee, which I did not expect, and I felt uneasiness for a while. However, it disappeared anyway and I was relived.
• Water supply point was set every 7 km. I could also have bananas and sponge cakes there. I could supplement the energy this time.
• However, shortly after the 20 km point, I already felt tired and slowed down. I tried to recover as much as possible and I could recover the pace.
• The course became gradually upward from 27 km point. The passing time at 30 km was 2 hours 42 minutes. Not so bad for me.
• After passing 30 km point, the long and upward slope appeared. This was the hardest point of the course. Almost all runners were walking. I tried to not to walk and could run up to the top anyway.
• From 33 km to 39 km, the course was round-trip. When approaching the 35 km, the course bacame upward again. I felt exhausted after 35 km point, but I tried to run as much as possible even the pace was slowing down.
• Finally I could reach almost 40 km point. However, I was shocked to learn that I had to run up the slope again! My running pace was almost the same as walking when I was runing up the slope.
• At last, the course became downward to the goal. I was relived to see the stadium.
• The goal time was 3 hours 56 minutes. I was happy to complete the race within 4 hours at my final race in 2003.
• The course had several ups-and-downs than I expected and a little bit hard. The course in the rear stage was set in the tea plantation field. Shizuoka is famous for tea production!!
• After the race, I immediately came back to the station. I took on the local train at 14:13 and changed the train of Shinkansen at Kakegawa Station. While waiting for the Kodama train, I drank a 500cc canned beer. In the Kodama train, I drank one cup Japanese Sake and felt good.
• The train was almost empty. I could enjoy seeing beatiful Mt. Fuji very close when passing Fuji District.
• I reached my home around 17:30. The Shinkansen is very convenient, but the cost is too expensive!
  
  
  Split Time
  
  

  5 km	26 minutes
  10 km	?
  15 km	1 hour 19 minues
  20 km	1 hour 47 minutes
  Middle point	1 hour 52 minutes
  25 km	?
  30 km	2 hours 42 minutes
  35 km	?
  40 km	3 hours 43 minutes
  Goal	3 hours 56 minutes

  
  
• To my regret, lately, I cannot remember some split times after the race! I am getting amnesia??

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