My new weekly feature "Sunday Story" is here. This is a chance for me to share something a in a little more detail such as a story, a special race or event or a detailed look at an interesting topic within running.
On Friday I posted this photograph and asked for people to guess where or what it shows. Thank you to Jonny Blair for his guess...he was only out by 6,985 miles although I think there was a splash of irony in his answer!
The logo on the front of the train was the clue...this was the train that took me to the MOUNT FUJI MARATHON in Japan.
The Facts:
The Mount Fuji Marathon is an annual event that ran for the sixth consecutive year on the 25th November 2017. Despite its name, the Marathon route actually goes around two lakes (Kawaguchi and Saiko) at the foot of Mount Fuji and therefore starts at an altitude of 850m but is not particularly hilly. Entry each year is limited to 12,000 people and costs 12,800 Yen. Participants have 6 hours to complete the course and receive a medal and T-shirt on completion.
My Opinion:
I am privaleged to have competed in different race distances and events all over the world and yet I have chosen to write about the Mount Fuji Marathon as my first race review. Why?
Firstly, and in my opinion most impressively, the views. But there were many other aspects that made this Marathon so memorable.
When I raced in November 2016 the landscape was picturesque. There had been heavy snow in the week leading up to the event causing fears that the event might not run and yet on the day the skies cleared and it was very cold but serene.
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| The start line for the Mount Fuji Marathon |
On a very clear day I could just about see Mount Fuji on the horizon from my classroom (on the 26th floor of a skyscraper in the heart of Tokyo). Still nothing could prepare me for the view that would hit me a few miles into the race. Japan is famed for its excellent customer service and this was exemplified by the provision of special trains from Shinjuku and a couple of other major transportation hubs in Tokyo direct to the Mountain range. And yet there is a notable absence of Mount Fuji itself from the scene. There are other mountains all around and beautiful lakes but no Fuji!
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| The opening scene |
After circling the first large lake you enter a short tunnel...just for a few minutes but then you emerge and your breathe is taken away...there it is in all its glory: MOUNT FUJI!!!
The race organisation was excellent with bands playing and other entertainment on route, plenty of water stations and excellent support in English provided at the start/finish line. A selectionof goodies were given out at the end including this fantastic medal, a great T-shirt and a really nice bag.
Have you ever raced in Japan? Would you like to do this race yourself? What is the most scenic race you have ever taken part in? Pleae let me know in the post below!
