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.

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. 

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/

Tsubetsu Koyo Half Marathon

Enjoy the fall colors of Tsubetsu-cho!

Half marathon

10k, 5k, 3k (children)

Website: http://www.town.tsubetsu.hokkaido.jp/01news/10oshirase/2017-0726-1913-3.html

Date: October 1, 2017

Apply by: September 1, 2017

Enjoy the wonderful fall colors of Tsubetsu.  Koyo means "fall colors" in Japanese and is written as 紅葉, or "red leaves".  Buses will take participants to the start and then it is a downhill run from there. This could be the place to get a PB! Buses leave from the Tsubetsu Elementary School play ground.  

Reception from 8:00 to 8:30 am.

Opening ceremony held at the Tsubetsu elementary school play ground at 8:40 am

After the opening ceremony, buses take runners to the start points of each distance.

Lunch is provided (curry) and you can enjoy having the hot meal with the other runners.

Fee:

1,500 for adults

1,000 for high school and junior high school

700 for elementary school aged participants

You need to fill out the application and take the application fee to the 

Tsubetsu-cho Chuo Kominkan to apply for the race.  

You can bring it to them directly, or you can send it by Genkin Kakitome (現金書留) or Kawase (為替). You should be able to get these at a post office or a bank.

I added text boxes of English to the application form and am attaching the link to this post.

Link: https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/030643ee-35e3-4bf8-8a1c-2149188355ed

If you do this today, it should arrive on time by Friday, September 1.

Here is the address to send it to.

You can print it out and bring it with you when you mail your application.  

〒092-0224
北海道網走郡津別町字豊永５番地１ 津別町中央公民館内
つべつ紅葉マラソン大会実行委員会事務局
TEL:0152-76-2713 FAX:0152-76-2477

Zip 092-0224

Hokkaido, Abashiri-gun, Tsubetsu-cho, Aza Toyonaga 5-banchi 1

Tsubetsu-cho Chuo Kominkan nai

Tsubetsu Koyo Marathon Taikai Jikoiinkai Jimukyoku

You can figure out your birth year in Japanese dates online.  Here is a good link I found.

http://www.ewc.co.jp/Pages/Information/CalendarEN.aspx

Bunches of events in September and October!

Month/Day  Event Name  Deadline

9/10 Furano Trail Run and Picnic Deadline 8/18
Site link
10k, 30k

9/10 NAC Trail Run Deadline 8/28
http://www.nacadventures.jp/en/events/nac-trail-run-in-niseko
30k, 10k 5k

9/10 Sweet Girl Run Deadline 8/18
For girls only! Looks like a lot of fun!
http://sweetgirlrun.com/
3k, 5.5k, 10k

9/17 Ohotsuku Half Marathon - Deadline 8/21
https://www.shibetsutown.jp/education/sogotaiikukan/marathon/
3k, 5k, 10k, half

9/17 Mt. Shari Road Race Deadline 8/15
http://www.town.kiyosato.hokkaido.jp/soshiki_shigoto/kyouikuiinkai/sports/2014sharidakeroadrace.html
Lots of ups and downs.
1k, 2k, 3k, 5k, half

9/23 Pipaoi Road Race Deadline 8/10
http://runnet.jp/entry/runtes/user/pc/competitionDetailAction.do?raceId=154974&div=1
2k, 3k, 5k, 10k, half

9/23  Hokkaido Outdoor Festival in Rusutsu Deadline 8/25
Various trail runs, rogaining, and orienteering events.
50 mile, 60k, 30k, 15k, 5k
http://www.o-hokkaido.com/hokkaidooutdoorfestival/2017/index.html

9/24 Ohotsuku - Abashiri Full Marathon Deadline 8/31
http://www.abashiri-marathon.jp/
Course runs along the seaside.
3k, 5k, full marathon

9/24 Mt. Kozan Green Race Deadline 9/6
http://npo-momonga.org/2017kgr/kgr.html
1k, 3k, 5k, 10k, 20k (two loops of the 10k course)


10/1 Tsubetsu Koyo Half marathon Deadline 9/1
http://www.town.tsubetsu.hokkaido.jp/01news/10oshirase/2017-0726-1913-3.html3k, 5k, 10k, half

10/8 Kitami Half Marathon  Deadline 9/8
http://www.kitami-halfmarathon.jp/2.5k, 5k, 10k, half

10/29  Mokotoyama Fukioroshi Downhill Half Marathon Deadline 9/29
https://sites.google.com/site/fukioroshi/
5k, 10k, half

10/29 Food Valley Tokachi Half Marathon Deadline 9/19
http://www.foodvalley-marathon.com/

2.5k, 5k, half

This event has filled up but it looks like fun.

10/1 Higashikagura BBQ 15k Run

https://www.town.higashikagura.lg.jp/docs/5322.html

Event brochure

3k, 8k, 15k

Bekkai Pilot Marathon

Bekkai Pilot Marathon
別海パイロットマラソン

October 1st
Deadline this year is August 7th on Runnet.jp
(The first Sunday of October every year)
Bekkai-cho
北海道別海町

Full, 5k

Run down the Pilot Road lined with rolling hills and contented cows. Famous for dairy products, you get milk, ice cream and other complementary dairy products at the party the night before. You can also watch the two mascot cows take off at the start of the marathon.

There are only two distances, the full 42.195k and a 5k. At the end of the full, finishers get an extra large beach towel and a whole salmon as their reward. The towel and the salmon are almost worth the 5000 yen entry fee! Not much to do in Bekkai but enjoy the views and the food. It's a beautiful place to run.

You can get all of the details, in detail from this page.
http://betsukai-marathon.jp/


Full Starts 10:00
5k Starts 10:45
Time limit for the full is 5 hours 20 minutes.

Reception:
Oct. 1st
8:00-9:00
(2pm to 6pm on the night before.)
Bekkai Choei Rikujyo Kyogijo (The Town Track)

Last call for the full: 9:30-9:45

Time limits:
10k: 11:10(70 min)
20k: 12:20 (70 min)
30k: 13:30 (70 min)
40k: 14:50 (80 min)
Goal: 15:20
Total: 5 hours 20 minutes

Fee:
Full 5000
5k 2,000

Access: There is bus service from Kushiro to the Race site. Apply by 9/15 to use the bus.
See: Bus Info (Japanese)

Participation prize: Dairy products from Bekkai, certificate of completion, 5k split times for those who completed at least 20km.

Finisher's Prize: Original Extra Large Bath Towel, 1 Bekkai Salmon.
Sorry, 5k finishers don't get a salmon.  If you want the fish, you gotta finish the full!

There are also several nice prizes for the top placers in each category (mens, womens, age).
Add it to your calendar?
Click here to add it to your Google Calendar