Tama River Memorial 50 km Running Race for Mr. Toshizo Hijikara (The 4th)

Date: Sunday, May 9, 2010 Weather: Sunny

Location: Hino City, Tokyo (JR Hino Station of Chuo Line)


Details of Race:

Race	50 km	Number of runners	275	*
	*		*	*
	Entry Fee		Yen 5,000
Contact	190-0161 415-19 Irino, Akiruno City, Tokyo Secretariat of Tama River 50 km Race Fax: 042-596-4816
Gift	Towel, Small towel tied around one's head
Free service	Drink, Chocolate, Rice ball, ect.
Remarks	Time limit to be 8 hours

Images

 
Reception Runners Finish

Hino posting station


Recors

5 km	34 minutes
10 km	1 hour 03 minutes
15 km	?
20 km	?
25 km	?
30 km	3 hours 13 minutes
35 km	?
40 km	4 hours 29 minutes
45 km	5 hours 10 minutes
50 km	5 hours 40 minutes

Impression

• I registered the race last year, but unfortunately I could not join the race since I injured my foot just before the race.
• The weatherman said it would be fine and the temperature would rise to 24 degrees Centigrade and the UV radiation would be strong. I therefore applied sunscreen lotion on my face.
• Since the marathon site was not far from my home, I went out at 6:30 AM. It was fine, but the air in the early morning was cool.
• I arrived in JR Hino Station around 7:30 AM via Seibu Line and JR Musashino Line.
• I headed Hino Athletic Field on foot. The temperature was rising up.
• I reached the marathon site before 8:00 AM. The registration already started. Runners were gathering there.
• The race is the memorial for Mr. Toshizo Hijikata, a deputy director of "Shinsen-Gumi" (famous militant organization at the end of Edo era), hailed from Hino City.
• The number of runners was 275 this year. The number has drastically increased this year. Some of them came from northern Hokkaido or southern Fukuoka Pref. More than 40 female runners joined the race.
• Small opening ceremony started from 8:40. It was fine. It would be getting hot. The time limit of finishing the race was 8 hours.
• Towel and small towel to be tied around one's head were given. Some runners wore small towel around their head.
• The race started at 9:00 AM. After running around the athletic field, runners went out the field. First we crossed the bridge over Tama River. Then we ran on the bank upstream. The thin clouds started to cover the sky. Considerably cool wind was blowing and thus I felt comfortable while running. I could enjoy seeing fresh greens.
• I doubled back and reached 10 km point. Then the course was changed from the bank of Tama River to the bank of Asakawa River.
• The distance between runners was getting longer and longer.
• I could eat gorgeous food and drink at the aid station just before 20 km. I ate 5 pcs of small rice balls, pickled Umes, grape fruit, etc. I could be refreshed.
• I somehow missed the indication of 20 km point. Anyway, I could pass 25 km point in safety.
• I could enjoy seeing scenery until 25 km point while running. However, I could not afford to do it.
• Just before 30 km point, I crossed the bridge again and started to run on the right bank. In the afternoon, the sunshine was getting hot. I was getting tired and my running pace was slowing down.
• Anyway, I continued to run and passed Koremasa Bridge and headed to Inagi Large Bridge. The bank was crowded with runners, cyclist and walkers.
• I finally arrived in 33 km turnaround point. I could have specially made vegetable curry and rice there. It was delicious.
• I took a break there for a while and started to return to the goal. The temperature was considerably high and I got thirsty before reaching the aid station.
• I took enough water at the aid station of around 35 km point. I crossed the bridge again and finally reached 40 km point. It took 4 hours 29 minutes. I had to run 10 km more.
• However, I was getting tired of running since it was hot and I started to get exhausted.
• I decided to run listening to portable radio in order to change the mood. I switched on the radio and started to listen the music of AFN program. It's a good idea. My running pace gradually recovered. However, the sun continued to blaze. It was inevitable to drink water frequently.
• Beyond my expectation, I could run smoothly during last 10 km. I could continue to run throughout 50 km without walking.
• I could finish within 5 hours 40 minutes. Since I planned to complete the race within 6 hours, I was satisfied with the result. I was not so exhausted as expected. Applying the tiger-balm on my foot before the race might be effective. I left marathon site at 15:00.
• The "Shinsen-Gumi" Festival was held in Hino City this weekend. I expected to see the parade of "Shinsen-Gumi", but I couldn't. I saw a lot of tourists strolling around the city.
• I could come home around 16:00, earlier than expected. I tried to drink draft beer at stand-up bar, which is famous at Akitsu area, but to my regret, the bar was fully occupied.
• After coming home, I took a shower and drank a canned beer. It's the cheapest and best method!
• I ran more than full marathon distance after a long interval. I did not feel any damage next day. I might challenge ultra marathon race again after enough training.
• The race was held on a small scale, but I felt homey atmosphere. I would like to join again.

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