The Japan Half Marathon Experience
Prior to living in Japan I had never taken part in a race longer than 5 km let alone ran a half marathon, yet now I've ran 3 and will be running another one again soon! Though I hadn't taken part in a half marathon in the UK, as just stated I had ran in smaller races, and whilst they were enjoyable the atmosphere was very different to the races I have run here in Japan! So here's a short post on what it's like to run a half marathon in Japan!!
Sign Up
Signing up is not actually that hard considering you typically have to do it all in Japanese! There are special runner websites that you can become a free member of (I use Runets) that allow you to search and apply for marathons in areas all over Japan. After you have picked your race, entered your details it's time to pay (normally around 5000 yen) for which you have many payment options, the easiest being at the conbini (convenience stores). After that you're pretty much set!
The Day Before
For all 3 of my half marathons package pick up has been scheduled the day before. If you don't know what package pick up is in basic terms it is where you go and collect your pre-race information, race numbers and anything else that you are required to have on the day. In Japan package pick up usually involves collecting a few freebies (such as sports drinks/gels, sports sweets, coupons), occasionally a race shirt, signing in and if you want to taking part in some of the activities that are set up.
Race Day (during the race)
On the day after arriving at the race location the first thing you must do is put all your belongings in the designated belongings area. This usually means placing everything in a big plastic bag, tying it up and sticking your race ID number on the front. You then leave this in the area and trust that your belongings will be safe (though it is Japan so the chances of anything happening to your belongings is incredibly low!) Right before the race there is sometimes group Radio Taiso (a popular warm-up in Japan) to get the runners ready for the race, and after that the run pretty much begins!
As with any race there are many bystanders cheering on the passers by, some who know people in the race and others are just locals coming to support everyone. At a couple of the half marathons I have run there have also been kindergarten students cheering dressed in their uniforms and some of them even playing as part of a band! There has also been Taiko performances (Japanese Drum performances) on the sidelines. There are also often people waving flags/mascots/some form of good luck token too. Again as goes with any race during there are many stalls with water, sports drinks, race refreshments to keep you going during your run. In Japan though refreshments often include half a mikan (orange/satsuma) some cucumber and あんパン (Anpan- Anko filled bread).
Race Day (the aftermath)
As with most races afterwards comes the massive sense of accomplishment and the high of completing your goal, whilst also sharing the experience with all the many other runners! In Japan it's no different and in fact I would say that the atmosphere is even better! As soon as you cross that finish line you are met with thousands of "お疲れさまです" (otsukaresamadesu, Japanese that literally means "you must be tired" but a better translation is "good job, you worked hard"!) and the more people you encounter after the race the more you are met with!
After finishing you also receive a prize of sorts, in Japan this is typically a "finisher" towel, in s unique one off design specific to the race you won. You also receive a certificate informing you of your race time, your category's average time and where you placed in the race, all handy information if you want to keep track of your progress. There is typically some free food offered to all racers afterwards, normally the standard おにぎり(onigiri-rice ball) and soup. Besides this there are also many food stalls available to buy other foods. There is often lots of entertainment factors going on as well, with photo opportunities, stages etc and also stalls offering sports massages, health assistance.
So there we have it, a brief look at half marathons in Japan, a fun and different experience!
Sign Up
Signing up is not actually that hard considering you typically have to do it all in Japanese! There are special runner websites that you can become a free member of (I use Runets) that allow you to search and apply for marathons in areas all over Japan. After you have picked your race, entered your details it's time to pay (normally around 5000 yen) for which you have many payment options, the easiest being at the conbini (convenience stores). After that you're pretty much set!
The Day Before
Race Day (during the race)
On the day after arriving at the race location the first thing you must do is put all your belongings in the designated belongings area. This usually means placing everything in a big plastic bag, tying it up and sticking your race ID number on the front. You then leave this in the area and trust that your belongings will be safe (though it is Japan so the chances of anything happening to your belongings is incredibly low!) Right before the race there is sometimes group Radio Taiso (a popular warm-up in Japan) to get the runners ready for the race, and after that the run pretty much begins!As with any race there are many bystanders cheering on the passers by, some who know people in the race and others are just locals coming to support everyone. At a couple of the half marathons I have run there have also been kindergarten students cheering dressed in their uniforms and some of them even playing as part of a band! There has also been Taiko performances (Japanese Drum performances) on the sidelines. There are also often people waving flags/mascots/some form of good luck token too. Again as goes with any race during there are many stalls with water, sports drinks, race refreshments to keep you going during your run. In Japan though refreshments often include half a mikan (orange/satsuma) some cucumber and あんパン (Anpan- Anko filled bread).
Race Day (the aftermath)
As with most races afterwards comes the massive sense of accomplishment and the high of completing your goal, whilst also sharing the experience with all the many other runners! In Japan it's no different and in fact I would say that the atmosphere is even better! As soon as you cross that finish line you are met with thousands of "お疲れさまです" (otsukaresamadesu, Japanese that literally means "you must be tired" but a better translation is "good job, you worked hard"!) and the more people you encounter after the race the more you are met with!After finishing you also receive a prize of sorts, in Japan this is typically a "finisher" towel, in s unique one off design specific to the race you won. You also receive a certificate informing you of your race time, your category's average time and where you placed in the race, all handy information if you want to keep track of your progress. There is typically some free food offered to all racers afterwards, normally the standard おにぎり(onigiri-rice ball) and soup. Besides this there are also many food stalls available to buy other foods. There is often lots of entertainment factors going on as well, with photo opportunities, stages etc and also stalls offering sports massages, health assistance.
So there we have it, a brief look at half marathons in Japan, a fun and different experience!
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