Harunako Lake Marathon Race (The 4th)

Date: Sunday, September 25, 2016 Weather: Sunny and cloudy

Location: Harunako-cho, Takasaki City, Gumma Pref. (1 hour from Takasaki Station by bus)


Details of raceF

Race	Full	Runners	1,600	Time limit: 6 hours
Entry fee	Yen 4,000
Contact	Postal Code: 370-3392;@900-1 Shimo-murota-cho, Takasaki City Secretariat of Harunako Lake Marathon Race Tel: 027-374-6715
Gift	Cash voucher equivalent to Yen 1,000
Free service	Various kinds of drink and foods
Remark	Free shuttle bus from Takasaki Station

ImagesF

 
Reception Victory stand

Finish Mt. Haruna Fuji

Harunako Lake Harunako Lake

Impression

• During this autumn, several typhoons attacked Japan and thus the weather had been bad and the temperature was lower than usual.
• Therefore, I was worrying about the weather on the marathon day. However, fortunately, the weather man said it would be nice weather on Sunday and I was relived.
• On Saturday afternoon, I left home. But on leaving, the thunderstorm attacked. I guessed, more than 10 days, the rain continued.
• I took on the train of Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Ikebukuro Station at 14: 25 and arrived in Takasaki around 16:00. The train was crowded, but I managed to get seat.
• First, I made sure of the bus stop of shuttle bus. Then I checked in the hotel. I booked cheap hotel, but I was surprised that the hotel was so old and worst. For instance, the bulb of the room was out and the room was dark and dirty! Anyway, I asked lady to change the bulb. I felt like I was staying in cheap apartment.
• At night, I ate "Daruma Bento", a specialty of Takasaki City and went to bed earller than usual.
• I waked up at 4:30 next morning. It was fine. Fine weather after a long interval.
• I checked out the hotel at 6:00 AM. and reached the bus stop at 6:15 AM.
• The first shuttle bus just left. I took on the second bus. The bus left at 6:25 AM. I enjoyed seeing the country scenery.
• It took almost one hour to the marathon site of Harunako Lake. While I was walking to the reception, I heard someone called my name. Two my running mates were returning to their car in the parking lot after finishing reception.
• After finishing the reception, I changed my wears under the sun. It was considerably hot.
• From 8:40, the opening ceremony was held. It was getting hot. I started to sweat. I was worrying about the run under the hot weather.
• The race was full marathon only. It was said that 1.600 runners joined. A small size race.
• Runners had to run five and half times around the Harunako Lake. Firstly, runners ran half round reversely the course, and then they ran five rounds on the regular course.
• During the first half round, my running condition was not so good,
• On the regular course, the upward slope started from the starting point and the slope gradually further upward. (difference of elevation to be 78 meters) I was disgusted that I had to run up such a hard slope five times!!
• After finishing the slope, the considerable downward slope continued. I was not got used to run the downward slope and thus I was passed by many other runners during the downward slope.
• Generally speaking, the course is hilly and tough; (Upward: 30%, Downward: 50%, Flat: 20%)
• My running pace slowed down every time I ran up the upward slope. But I tried to not to walk while I was running the upward slope. However, it was hardest to run up the 5th upward slope. The pace was almost the same as that of walking, but I did not walk!
• The entry fee of this race was Yen 4,000. It's reasonable. Further, shuttle bus was free. Moreover, the gift was cash voucher equivalent to Yen 1,000. ( The voucher can be used only in the local area.)
• During the initial stage, I enjoyed the scenery; however, soon, I had to bend my mind to run.
• There were several aid-station on the course. At two main aid-station, various kinds of drinks and foods were served such as pork soup, curry and rice, rice ball, banana, pear, grape-fruit, pickled plum, cucumber, coke, yakult, etc.
• I took time to enjoy eating pork soup and curry and rice.
• There were the number of rounds and distance indications on the course for reference.
• When I finished the fourth round, just 4 hours passed. Therefore, I guessed that my finish time might be 5 hours.
• I sweated a lot, but it was not so host as worried, It was cool in the shadow area. The height above sea level was more than 1,000 meters!
• I could enter the 5th round and finally reached the point 5 km to the finish. I could see the finish.
• When approaching the finish, I heard someone saying "Soon 5 hours will pass." I tried to run to the finish as fast as possible. My finish time was 4 hours 59 minutes 50 seconds! I was satisfied I could finish the race within 5 hours.
• After getting a finish certificate, I started to get back. Before getting on the shuttle bus, I bought souvenir using a cash voucher at souvenir shop near the marathon site.
• The bus left at 14:45 and arrived in Takasaki station around 16:00. I could catch up the train of Shonan Shinjuku Line to be left at 16:12 bound for Odawara.
• I could reach my home around 20:00. I was a little bit tired.

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