The 57th Tamako-Lake Road Race

Date: Sunday May 19, 2002 Weather: Sunny occasionally cloudy

Location: Sayama Park beside Tamako-Lake (5 minutes on foot from Seibu Playground Station of Seibu Shinjuku Line)


Details of Races

Race	12.85 km	Time Limit	*	320 Runners
	5 km		*	58 Runners
	2 km		*	50 Runners
Entry Fee	Yen 2,500
Contact	Tokyo Running Club 3-9-15 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo 170-0013 TEL:03-3981-1345
Gift	Running Handbook
Free Service	*
Remarks	Only one water supply point. Water only

Images


Reception Start of 5-km Race



Impression & Record

• I was advised that the 47th race was last since the construction to reinforce the bank of Tamako-Lake will start from August 2002, which takes 5 to 6 years. Thus I decided to join the final race.
• According to weekly forecast, it would be rainy on weekend. However, as usual, it was fine on Sunday. The temperature was expected to raise up to 24 dgrees Centigrade.
• I left for Tamako-Lake at 9:30 AM by bicycle.
• It took almost 1 hour via Tamako-Lake Cycling Road. I usually jog the same course and it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes by jogging. No big difference!
• I arrived in Sayama Park around 10:30 AM and registered. I met my running mate, Mr. S there.
• The 12.85 km race (go around the Tamako-Lake one time) would start 11:15 AM.
• As I mentioned, this was the last race. According to the brochure, number of runners joined has been decreasing.
• More than 500 runners once joined for 12.85 km race. However, this time, only 320 runners joined. How pitiable it is!
• Anyway, the race started at 11:15 AM as scheduled. Almost all runners rushed to Tamako-Lake Cycling Road. I was in the last group from the beginning!
• I remembered that the cycling road was so crowded in the intial stage and that I could not pass the other runners when I participated the race previous time. However, this time, I did not need to worry about such situation. since I was much delayed.
• My condition was not so good, because I met my senior of my school days after a long period and caroused with him on Friday. In addition, I ran 20 km on Saturday and got tired.
• Under the circumstances, I could not speed up immediately after the start.
• However, gradually, I started to raise the pitch. Then I could pass Mr. S (188 cm tall!) who had been running in front of me. I could continue to pass other runners.
• Suddenly Mr. S rushed up and passed me again!
• Since then, I was running constantly with a pace which was faster than usual.
• A few young gals were running just in front of me, however, I could not catch up with them since they were running with faster pace.
• I speeded up and finally I passed those gals and passed Mr. S again at 11 km point.
• I rushed into the goal. The goal time was 1 hour 04 minutes 20 seconds. I could not run within 1 hour, but I was satisfied.
• After the race, we had a drink party in the park with canned beers and 2-litre Japanese Sake Pack. It was sunny and we were in good mood.
• A lot of runners' groups had drink party there after the race. Everybody thinks the same thing!
• I came home by bicycle in drunken condition at 3:00 PM. After taking shower, I was forced to go to get for a nap.
• It does not take much time for short-distance marathon race, however, it is hard for me to run with high-speed.

Back