Sunday, April 25, 2021

Update on the Running in Hokkaido blog

 Hello runners! 

A bit of personal misfortune has made it so I can no longer run and not being able to run makes it hard to keep motivated to update this blog.  Over a year ago now, I suffered an obliterated disc that caused my legs to be somewhat paralyzed. My toes don't work very well and I cannot lift my toe with very much force.  This makes my ankles very unstable and also makes it hard to keep my balance and makes me more prone to tripping. There was no accident, just bad genes I guess.  Apparently I only have three discs that still look healthy.  The others are all  like ticking time-bombs.  I have had problems with my back and my neck for at least twenty years.  Regardless, it was a shock and it sucks.  

The Running in Hokkaido blog has not gotten much love for the last couple of years because of various things keeping me from it but it probably won't get any updates after this.  Much of the information may still be useful so I am not taking it down.  

If you find this blog and want some help with an event, I am still willing to offer my language skills to anyone in need.  Just leave a comment and I should notice it. 

Good luck and happy running!

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Shikaoi Trail Run - report 2018

The kids and I, along with their grandmother, all went to the Shikaoi Trail Run again this year.  This was the 9th running of the event. The weather was great.  It was sunny cool, just perfect for running. It is a family friendly event and the kids enjoyed making and flying kites and playing with traditional Japanese tops called koma mawasi (こままわし).

The course was different than how it had been in the past.  Typhoons have knocked down many trees and made it too difficult to run in the mountains so the course sticks close to the river and uses the river access roads.  I ran the 13 km distance and the first half was downhill on mostly graveled road with some horse trail mixed in.  The second half was dirt road or horse trail running along the river until the last 3 km or so, which took you through the forest and back uphill to the finish. There were about 4 river crossing and some deep mud in spots.

This year I volunteered as a translator and interpreter as they had a couple come from Malaysia.  They said that it was a nice change to run in such cold weather!  Us Hokkaido runners were all happy that the weather was so warm!

There were about 150 people at the event and there were about 45 men in the 13 km distance.  The organizers had prepared some gifts to give the winners and prepared enough items for everyone who stayed through the lucky drawing to be able to take something home.  Sports drink were given to runners at the finish and there was a small shop setup that was selling food and snacks.   The run itself is now based at the Shikaoi Geo Park.  It seems to be a place where you can learn about geology and enjoy the outdoors.  There is a Park Golf course there, a parking lot and a lot of nice well kept lawn.

The Shikaoi Trail Run does all (?) of its promotion on Face Book.  The town of Shikaoi is in Chinese characters but the title of the run is in hiragana and katakana.  So if you want to like their page to get updates, you'll best find it searching for it like this:  しかおいトレイルラン
Or, follow this link:
https://www.facebook.com/%E9%B9%BF%E8%BF%BD%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3-554384901282649/



Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Northern Ohotsuku 100km Ultra marathon

北オホーツク100kmマラソン
North Ohotsuku 100 km Ultra Marathon (The North 100)


  • Where: Hamatonbetsu 浜頓別町
  • When: July 22, 2018
  • Distance: 100 km / 50 km
  • Apply by: June 27
  • Fee: 100 km / 17,000 yen  - 50 km / 12,000 yen.

100 km Starts at 5 am from in front of the Tamokuteki Arena
50 km Starts at 10 am  from in front of the Tamokuteki Arena
50k Route Map: http://latlonglab.yahoo.co.jp/route/watch?id=7bbe853afdff69cf781a3c0a7d13c1e5
100k Route Map: http://yj.pn/9XcKwA

Must be at least 18 years-old on day of the race.
Must be able to finish the 100 km in 14 hours
Must be able to finish the 50k in 9 hours.

Here is the table of times and distance athletes must pass in order to complete the race.
100 km Starts at 5:00 am.  Start and finish from in front of the Tamokuteki Arena
50 km Starts at 10:00 am.   Start and finish from in front of the Tamokuteki Arena

100 Km30km50km60km70km80km90kmGoal
9:3012:0013:3014:3515:5017:3019:00
50 Km10km20km30km40kmGoal
13:3014:3515:5017:3019:00

I really enjoyed the Saroma 100 km Ultra and I would love to do another one.

Event site: http://www.north100.jp/
Runnet: https://entry.dosports.yahoo-net.jp/tournaments/2123

Tobetsu Sweden (Half) Marathon

第1回当別スウェーデンマラソン


The first ever Tobetsu Sweden (Half) Marathon
(Tobetsu Suehden Marason)

Date: August 5, 2018
Place: Tobetsu-cho, Hokkaido
Tobetsu is a town near Sapporo, Hokkaido. There is a village in the town called Sweden Hills where the houses are built in a "Swedish Style."

Deadline: June 17, 2018
Fee: Half 5,000 yen, 3km 4,000 yen, Elementary aged children 2,000 yen.

On the guest list is Olympic gold medalist Takahashi Naoko!

Event website: http://www.tobetsu-sweden-marathon.com/
Runnet: https://runnet.jp/entry/runtes/user/pc/competitionDetailAction.do?raceId=187333&div=1

Course description: A tough hilly course taking you through the beautiful streets of Sweden Hills.

Otaru Canal Road Race

Otaru Unga Road Race

第30回おたる運河ロードレース大会
June, 17, 2018
(Every year on the third Sunday in June)

The 30th annual Otaru Unga Road Race is a half marathon that also has 10k, 5k and 2k distances which is run in the city of Otaru.  The "unga" in the title means "canal" as the race course takes you alongside the historic Otaru canal. 

Fee:
Half, 10k - 4,000 yen
5k, 2k - 3,500 yen.

Deadline: Apply by May 7, 2018

Site webpage: https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/simin/gakushu_sports/sports/unga_race/
Runnet : https://runnet.jp/entry/runtes/user/pc/competitionDetailAction.do?raceId=181813&div=1

There is a participation prize this year of a large memorial towel (60 cm x 120 cm).

Otaru is a great place to visit and there are various seafood and artisan shops near the canal.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Tsubetsu Koyo 10k Race Report

Hoa and Stephen, who were on a trip to Hokkaido, found a race on the blog and I helped them get registered for it. They sent in a race report. Its a race that I have never been to so I am grateful for their report.

Race report: Tsubetsu Marathon
Oct 1/2017

My husband and I booked a trip to Japan about a month ago. We did not intend to race, but stumbled across Clint's website on running in Hokkaido. There, we found a local race that happened to match our visit. Since we are foreigners from North America and don't read nor speak Japanese, race registration was a challenge. Luckily, Clint translated the information and liaised information to the race director on our behalf. We are so grateful for his kindness. 

It was clear skies, sunny, and a bit windy the morning of the race. Many runners and their families were there. It was a good mixture of school aged children and adults. We were warmly greeted by race officials. Package pickup was seamless. We received a race packet with information about the race, 2 race bibs, pins, number for draw prizes, and a voucher for lunch. The additional race bib was puzzling until we saw others pinning them to the front and back of their shirt. 

After package pickup, there was an opening ceremony to welcome runners and recognize race organizers. We were pleasantly surprised to be recognized as foreign runners and gifted Tsubetsu marathon towels! After a warm up, we were directed to buses that took runners to their designated start line. The race has several distances including 3k, 5k, 10k, and half marathon. We opted for the 10k. 

At the start line, some runners did strides/sprints to warm up, while others chatted with friends. Many of the school children ran in gym uniforms and/or team shirts. An interesting procedure was the roll call before the race. An official called each number sequentially and checked off who was "present". We had a good laugh knowing we didn't know the Japanese numbers being called out, so we looked for bib numbers close to ours and raised our hand on cue!

The race started on time at 10am. It was starting to warm up, but was breezy and the sun was on our back. Runners were instructed to stay on the left side of the road to allow traffic on the right. The route was supposedly a gradual downhill incline, but found it to be mostly flat with minor rolling hills. The backdrop was beautiful. We ran by farmland, surrounded by trees and mountains. Some leaves were starting to change colour.

There was 1 water station around the halfway point (5k). We were pleasantly surprised to see locals watching and cheering along the course! This was particularly encouraging the last stretch towards the finish line. The final 100 metres brought us back to the school grounds, the site of package pickup. A nice touch was the track marked by the various race distances. Upon crossing the finish line, we were given a cold, refreshing sports drink. It was perfect to restore electrolytes and to hydrate. The crowd cheered and some race officials offered their congratulation. 

There were lots of draw prizes. My husband won a food coupon. We chatted with a reporter and some locals as we enjoyed the post race meal of rice curry. Top finishers in each category received certificates and wooden plaques - very fitting as Tsubetsu is known as a leading producer of lumber. To my surprise, I placed in the race and achieved a PR. 

Overall we were very impressed with the race. It was clear to see that the organizers dedicated many hours to make the event run smoothly. We would recommend to locals as well as foreigners looking for something off the beaten path. We are grateful for this wonderful experience and the warm hospitality of this community. 

Hoa & Stephen 


School Grounds

Buses taking runners to their start lines

Lanes running to the goal on the school grounds, one for each distance.

The 10k start line


The locals

A lunch of curry and rice was provided and everyone ate together.

Winners received a wood plaque. 


Sunday, October 1, 2017

Sapporo Half Marathon

Sapporo Half Marathon

札幌マラソン

(Sapporo marason)

Date: October 1, 2017
Place: Sapporo, Toyohira Riverside
Application period: 6/12 to 7/12.  Very early!
http://www.shsf.jp/satumara/

Half
10km , 5km , 3km , 2km , 1km


Website: http://www.shsf.jp/satumara/



Limited information is included in the calendar entries. For more information, leave a comment. I try to post the deadlines for the races. The place where the race is held is also included. You can see where it is by clicking on the map link.