The 5th Shimanami Searoad 100 km Ultra Marathon Race

Date : Saturday June 7, 2003 Weather : Sunny then cloudy and then sunny again

Location : Setouchi Shimanami Searoad (From Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Pref. to Imabari City, Ehime Pref.)


Details of Race

Race	100 km	Runners	850	*
	*		*	*
Entry Fee	Yen 17,000
Contact	2-29-10 Hibarigaoka, Zama City 228-0003, Kanagawa Pref. c/o Kaiho Road Running TEL:046-255-4689
Gift	T-shirt, Bath Towel
Free Service	Aid station : every 5 km
Remarks	Time limit to be 16 hours. No gateway on the course. Starts at 5:00 AM.

IMAGES


Map Course Map



Fukuyama Castle Reception Curtain


Stairs to the bridge Run on the bridge T-shirt


Impression & Record

• Last year, I failed at the 80 km point of the Saloma 100 km Ultra Marathon Race. Thus I had a plan to challenge Saloma marathon again this year. However, I found it was difficult to adjust my schedule to join the race. Therefore, instead, I decided to join the Shimanami 100 km Ultra Marathon Race.
• This year, the numbers of runners to be entered the race was 700 at first. However, more than 1,200 runners applied for the race. As a result, 850 runners could join the race this year.
• However, my condition had been no good since January of this year. And thus I could not do enough training for the ultra marathon race. Under the circumstances, I did not have any confidence that I could complete the race this time. However, since the time limit is 16 hours (In case of Saloma, it is 13 hours.), I thought I could somehow finish the race.
• According to weekly weather forecast, the rainy season would start at the weekend. However, the weather was getting better and better.
  
  Sunny, Hot, Friday June 6, 2003
  
  
• I could be day-off on Friday and thus I took on the Superexpress "Hikari" bound for Hiroshima at 11:03 AM from Tokyo Station. I could see two runners in the same passenger car who seemed to join the same race.
• I could meet my running mates, Messers. N & F at Shin-Osaka Station. We had a toast with canned beers for the completion of the coming race. We arrived in Fukuyama Station at 15:15. It was so hot.
• The hotel we would stay was Fukuyama New Castle Hotel, where the registration of the race was made. It locates just in front of the Fukuyama Station. We checked in the hotel and registered the race at the same time. A lot of runners were coming for registration there.
• In the hotel room, I carefully prepared for the tomorrow's race. Shortly, we went to the Fukuyama Castle where the start of the race would be made. It takes only several minutes from the hotel. Then we went to Japanese pub and enjoyed tasting local Japanese Sakes. Also we went to Chinese noodle restaurant to have "Fukuyama Ramen".
• Finally we went to the convenience store to buy food for breakfast and relish and Japanese Sake . We had the second drink party in the Mr. F's room. We finished the party at 9:00 PM. We enjoyed and drank considerably, I guess.
  
  Sunny then cloudy and sunny again, Saturday June 7, 2003
  
  
• Last year, I overslept in the morning of the Saloma Ultra Race. To avoid the same mistake, I brought two alarm clocks. I also set the alarm of the hotel room and also asked wake-up call. Then I went to the bed.
• I waked up at 2:00 AM. Then I had been dozing until 3:00 AM.
• I had no appetite. However, I was forced to have bread and juice.
• At 4:00 AM, I made sure the entry of the race again at the hotel lobby. I also deposited the two bags, one for the middle race point and the other for the goal. The runners were coming to the hotel one after another.
• We went to the Fukuyama Castle at 4:30 AM. Other runners were also gathering there. It was still dark and was cloudy, but not cold. Somehow, there was no indication of starting line.
• Just before the start, the starting point was established and Mr. Kaiho, the promoter of the race, appeared and explained about the race.
• He said that some runners arrived in the goal at mid-night last year. However, the insurance for the race is just effective until 9:00 PM. Thus he asked if the runner could not reach the goal before 9:00 PM, he had to remove the paper number cards on the back/breast and to act according to the instructions by the staff of race.
• The race started at just 5:00 AM. We ran down from the castle and went through the town and finally reached the sideway of No.2 National Road.
• After passing No.2 Aid Station (10.3 km), we came across several tunnels (Actually six tunnels). It was so noisy and gassy in the tunnels. It was also very dark and thus it seemed that I was running in a dream world.
• The sun finally appeared when I passed all tunnels and it became hotter.
• I arrived in Onomich City after running approx. 20 km alongside National Road. I could see the sea for the first time and also Onomich Bridge (385 m).
• After passing 20.2 km Aid Station, the course became upward and then runners had to climb up the stairs to reach the bridge. It was so hard for me after running more than 20 km.
• Acrossing the bridge, I entered the Mukojima Island. After running 10 km, I arrived in Mukojima Island Bridge (1,270 m) connected to Innoshima Island.
• At 35 km Aid Station (No.7), I could drink a fresh orange juice just squeezed in front of me! It was very delicious.
• The temperture was going up, but I continued to run. The numbers of runners around me were gradually decreasing.
• Shortly, I was approaching to Ikubujima Bridge (790 m). Runners had to run on the cycling road of the bridge, however, we had to run up the long looped road to reach the bridge. It was also very hard for me to run up and run down.
• I managed to reach the middle point (49.9 km). It took 5 hours 43 minutes. Good running pace for me. Runners could receive the bag which was deposited at the start and change wears in the gymnasium. I wiped my hands and legs filled with salt caused by sweat. I only changed socks.
• I ate two rice balls there and rested for 20 minutes. It was so hot outside.
• I started again around 11:00 AM. The course was alongside the seashore for a while. I felt tired a little bit since more than 6 hours passed after start.
• I reached the base of Tatara Bridge. However, I found that I had to climb up the stairs again! I could not run up anymore and I walked up to the bridge. I started to run on the bridge anyway.
• I arrived in 62.6 km Aid Station (No. 12) in the Ohmishima Island. I felt tired again after passing 60 km point.
• Next bridge was Ohmishima Island Bridge (297 m) which lead to Hakatajima Island. Soon I came across 68.3 km Aid Station. The staff welcomed me with cold towel. Young Senior High School gals also cheered me! The Hakatajima Island is famous for the production of the salt. I left there with cheer of young gals. I could see the indication that you can have cold noodle at the next Aid Station after you run 3 km. I looked forward to it.
• At the 71.4 km Aid Station (No. 14), the lady staff introduced the name of runner and his native place with microphone every time the runner arrived. I could enjoy cold noodle (Somen) there.
• I started to feel that my legs were getting heavy after passing 70 km. I finally walked the looped way to Hakata-Ohshima Island Bridge(1,165 km). However, I started to run again on the bridge as usual.
• In the Ohshima Island (from 77 km Aid Station to 82.2 km Aid Staion), I finally repeated runs and walks.
• It was so long and hard for me to run 5 km to 87.2 km Aid Station ( No.17) I was so exhausted that I lost my energy to run. Other runners were also the same situation. Anyway, I tried to walk as fast as possible. However, soon, I felt sleepy since it was so monotonous. I was driven by an impulse to sleep on the sideway. Actually, I saw a few runners sleeping on the roadside. I was so disgusted when I found that I had to run both the looped road and the stairs again to reach Kurushima Channel Bridge.
• Kurushima Channel Bridge consists of three bridges and the total distance is approx. 4 km. Runners had to run on the cycling road. When I reached the bridge, I found that the course was gradually upward and not downward. I gave up to run there.
• The scenery was good from the bridge and it was cool. While I was walking on the bridge, I was passed by several runners who were running very slowly. To my regret, I could not catch up with them since I could not run even with slow pace.
• A very large vessel passed under the bridge with very slow speed. I felt that the speed was exactly the same as mine.
• Anyway, it took almost one hour ! to pass the bridge. It was so hard for me to endure. I could not enjoy the scenery at the end.
• I reached 91.7 km Aid Station(No.18). I still had to run 8. 3 km, which seemed to me so far away.
• I tried to run again, however, my legs could not function. I continued to walk until I arrived in the last Aid Station (96 km, No.19) It took 45 minutes. The sun was shining severely on my exhausted body even it was already passing 5:00 PM.
• I finally arrived in 96 km Aid Station. I drank enough water there and decided to run with final strength. Fortunately, I could run to the point of 98 km. Maybe, I had some extra energy since I had been walking.
• To my joy, the running pace recovered and I could continue to run to the goal.
• Soon I could see the Imabari Castle. I speeded up.
• Finally I passed two runners and reached the goal with deep emotion. It took 13 hours 50 minutes!! Mr. H, my running mate who came from Sakaide City, welcomed me. I was deeply moved.
• I was so happy to reach the goal earlier than I expected.
• Anyway, I was very satisfied to complete the race. But I was completely exhausted at the same time.
• I could see other two my running mates who already reached before me.
• There were food booths at the goal and the events like BINGO game was being held by the promoter/sponsors. However, I did not have any more energy to enjoy those booths and events. I just wanted to go to the hotel anyway.
• I separated my running mates who were going to Matsuyama City and I hurried to the hotel by taxi.
• I finally felt relieved after taking shower at the hotel.
• Then I looked for liquor shop with exhausted legs in the town at night for celebration. I saw the runners still walking to the goal around 8:00 PM. Unfortunately, I could not find a liquor shop!
• Therefore, I went to the restaurant in the hotel and ordered a bottle of beer. I could celebrate my success by myself and enjoy the dishes with only one beer! Several runners were also enjoying the dinner there.
• I went to the bed earlier than usual. However, I waked up several times during the night since I felt pains at knees. It seemed that the knees were heavily damaged by 100 km distance.
  
  About race , etc.
  
  
• I could enjoy enough water, sport drinks and foods at every Aid Station. The staff was very kind and helpful.
• I personally feel that the course is harder than that of Saloma Ultra Marathon Race since the runners have to run up/down the courses many times to reach each bridge.
• The cameramen take photo of the runners at three points. The runners can buy their photos after the goal. (Yen 500 per copy)
• The numbers of cars passing Shimanami Bridges were not so many. They should be more utilized as my opinion.
• Almost all shops in the Imabari City were closed before 8:00 PM. It was not active at night.
  
  RECORD
  
  

  Distance	Time
  10 km	1 hour 09 minutes
  20 km	2 hours 15 minutes
  30 km	3 hours 27 minutes
  40 km	?
  49.9 km	5 hours 43 minutes
  60 km	7 hours 21 minutes
  70 km	8 hours 54 minutes
  82.2 km	10 hours 47 minutes
  Goal	13 hours 50 minutes

  
  
  Addition
  
  
• Later, the certificate of completing the race, a photo at goal and record book were sent to me.
• I was 268th out of 578 runners.
• Number of entry for the race was 848. The number of runners actually joined the race was 802. The number of runners completed the race within 16 hours was 578. The ratio of completeing the race was 72%.
• The time of top runner was 8 hours 44 minutes!!
  
  
  Back