Haisai! I've
been running in Okinawa since 2004 and created this website to
provide information for runners in Okinawa and throughout Japan.
The Races
in Okinawa page lists the
dates, locations, general details, cost, and home pages for every
race open to the general public. If you're looking for
Good
Places to Run in Okinawa,
check out my list of suggestions, with maps and detailed
descriptions of each route. I run at these locations regularly, so
be sure to say hello if we cross paths. The Links
and Information page has the
following headings: race information, Japanese running magazines,
bulletin boards, and various links. The links, which include a
running calculator, maps, podcast information, and an excellent
running log, are limited to my absolute favorite running resources.
Be sure to check them out! In addition, Training
Menus (in metric) are
available for various race distances. Written in MS-Word, the menus
can be downloaded and adapted for your own training. The
Japanese
for Runners page provides
helpful vocabulary for talking about running in Japanese. With
vocabulary ranging from beginner to advanced, the lists are divided
into the following categories: cheers, race day, body parts,
training, and athletes. I've added a Pronunciation Guide for those
who don't know any Japanese. In My
Running Blog, I'll write
about my thoughts, opinions, and reflections on running. To get a
brief summary of my running background, take a look at
My
Running Profile. If you have
suggestions for this site, or just want to say hello to a fellow
runner, don't hesitate to drop me a line (the e-mail link is at the
bottom of this page). I'd be especially thrilled to hear from
people in Okinawa or Japan. I hope you enjoy running in Okinawa, a
runner's paradise!
My long-term dream is to run all thirty races, including the
ultramarathons and triathlons, that are offered in Okinawa. After I
run a race, I'll write a commentary, which I'll add to this page.
I'll add additional web pages (with pictures and more thorough
commentaries) for marathons and longer races. These commentaries
should give you a good idea of what to expect for each race. For my
next race, I am considering the Hokkaido
Marathon, which will be
held on August 31, 2008.
Here is my race
history, with the most recent race first:
Miyakojima
100K Wide
Date: January 13,
2008
Location: Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 10:52:43
Comments: Without doubt, the most difficult
event in which I have ever partcipated. Click on the link to go to
my Miyakojima 100K Wide Page.
Chubu Trim
Marathon--20K Race
Date: November 18,
2007
Location: Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:27:30
Predicted Time:
1:40:00
Time Differential:
0:12:30
Comments: Since participants can choose from
various courses (2K, 3K, 5K, 10K, and 20K) and results are based on
time differential, this event draws many families and less serious
runners. Participants also seem quite interested in the post-race
raffle for a trip to Tokyo Disney Land. Unfortunately, you may have
to wait a couple hours until the drawing. The 20K course is
excellent: perhaps the flattest course in Okinawa. To be honest,
the course itself is what I liked most about this race. On the down
side, this is a "trim" marathon, so there are few distance markers
along the route and watches are banned. In addition, there's hardly
any crowd support and not much entertainment. My other two
complaints are that 1.) there aren't enough water stops (only three
on the course), and 2.) the courses merge together for the last
five kilometers, forcing faster runners to weave through mobs of
walkers. On the up side, the location of the race, Okinawa
Comprehensive Park, is an excellent venue: easy access, extensive
parking, and many covered areas to change or to stay out of the
rain.
Iheya
Moonlight Marathon
Date: October 27, 2007
Location: Iheya
Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Time: 4:10:54
Comments: Apart from the difficulty of
getting out to the island, the Iheya Moonlight Marathon is a
well-organized and enjoyable race. Click on the link to go to my
Iheya Moonlight Marathon Page.
Camp Kinser Half
Marathon
Date: October 7, 2007
Location: Camp
Kinser (M.C.A.S.), Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:40:26
Comments: This race is open to the general
public but is not advertised in the Japanese media. As a result,
most participants are connected to the military, and civilians
might feel a bit out of place. Even so, everyone is warmly
welcomed, and since the race is a small one (about 400 runners),
there are some fringe benefits: trophies are awarded to the top
three finishers in each age group, and a brunch buffet is held
following the race. The course is quite flat, but the total lack of
shade makes heat fatigue a real risk. There are almost no
spectators, but the frequent water stops probably saved a few
runners from collapse. Don't forget your suntan lotion!
Shioya Bay Trim
Marathon--9.5K Race
Date: April 29, 2007
Location: Ogimi
Village, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Time: 39:48
Predicted Time:
40:00
Time Differential:
0:00:12
Comments: This is a very small event in a
very small town, and as you might expect, local runners and
families are the heroes. The relatively flat course circles around
Shioya Bay, and the scenery is quite beautiful. Though there are
few spectators and some lonely spots along the course, several
water stops are provided, which is rather unusual for such a short
course. In terms of cost, this event is a great deal: the entry fee
is only ¥1,500, and all participants receive tickets for lunch and
a nice teacup. If you live nearby or just like small races, this
would be an excellent choice for you. Even so, I don't think it's
worth the trip from Naha.
Nanbu Trim Marathon--20K
Race
Date: March 18, 2007
Location: Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:27:17
Predicted Time:
1:29:50
Time Differential:
0:02:33
Comments: For a trim marathon, this race
draws a pretty big crowd, undoubtedly because of the event's
inclusive nature: participants can choose from various courses (5k,
10k, 20K, family, and wheelchair), and since results are based on
time differential, everyone has a chance of winning. In addition,
there are raffles for trips to Tokyo and Hawaii. The courses are
relatively flat, with just a few minor hills mixed in, and numerous
waterstops are provided. There are no distance markers along the
route at all, which is what one should expect for a trim marathon,
I suppose; it's just that other trim marathons in Okinawa do have
them. The start area of the race is easily accessible, which is
rare in Okinawa: adequate parking is provided and traffic
congestion is minimal. If you live in Naha, you shouldn't have any
trouble getting to the event in half an hour. There's not a lot of
crowd support or entertainment, but the runners are generally
enthusiastic and the racing conditions are excellent. I'll
certainly do this race again, if only because I can finish the
whole thing before noon, and without getting up ridiculously
early.
Henoki Dam Trim
Marathon--10K Race
Date: March 4, 2007
Location: Kunigami Town, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 43:40
Predicted Time:
40:00
Time Differential:
3:40
Comments: The Henoki Dam Trim Marathon is a
low-key race, focused primarily on the local school children who
run in the 1.5K and 3K races. The 10K race has fewer than two
hundred participants, including some members of the local high
school and university track teams. The course weaves through the
mountains surrounding Henoki Dam and is extremely hilly. On the
other hand, there's a lot of shade, some nice scenery, and a water
stop offered just before the midway point. Just the same, don't
expect to achieve a personal record on this course. After the race,
there are the standard Okinawan concession stands, offering squid
soup, Okinawa soba, takoyaki, shaved ice, and other treats.
In addition, free horse-back riding (five minutes) is provided for
children and adults. Given that the race takes place in the
northernmost village on the Okinawan mainland, I recommend visiting
some of the tourist sites in the north, such as Cape Hedo. Overall,
a pleasant local race with a nice atmosphere, but probably not
worth the long drive from Naha--unless you can get in some
sightseeing to make the trip worth while.
Nakijin Village New Year
Road Race--10K Race
Date: January 2, 2007
Location: Nakijin Village, Okinawa
Prefecture, Japan
Time: 39:32
Comments: With fewer than a hundred
participants, the Nakijin New Year Road Race is a lowkey race in a
small, rural community. Even so, the event is extremely well
organized and strongly supported by the local community. The heroes
are clearly the local kids, ranging from first grade through high
school, and separate races are held for almost every grade level.
This would certainly be a great event to participate in as a
family. The 10K race, held for high school students and adults, is
also well organized: the course is clearly marked, with distance
markers at every kilometer, and volunteers line most of the route.
Most importantly, you can run in the middle of the smoothly paved
road--in contrast to the Nanjo City New Year Marathon, where you
have to run along the side of the road to avoid traffic. The roads
aren't actually closed, but the isolated location and large number
of volunteers make it possible for the town to give the road over
to the runners. The out-and-back course has quite a few hills, but
nothing to slow you down. Some extremely talented runners
participate, so unless you can run 10K in close to 30:00, don't
expect to be among the top finishers. After the race, runners are
treated to a big warm bowl of yushidoufu (tofu soup). For
only 500 yen, this is an excellent race to start the new year.
Registration is by phone a couple of weeks before the
race.
Shouhashi Half
Marathon
Date: November 5,
2006
Location: Nanjou City, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:37:04
Comments: Touted as the "premier event of
Ryukyu," the Shouhashi Half Marathon is one of the most heavily
advertised races in the prefecture. Though the race doesn't quite
live up to its billing, if you prefer large races with all the
amenities that such races offer, you should be pleased. Expect
numerous water stops, including supplemental stops set up by
generous citizens; decent crowd support, including one of my
favorite local jazz bands just past the halfway point; and a huge
crowd of friendly runners. In addition, the scenery
along the route is quite spectacular, especially during the second
half when you run down a bridge over the bay heading into Chinen
Village. Finally, the popular black t-shirts are nicely designed
and of a nice material, just the type you would want to wear when
training. On the downside, access to the site is difficult, so even
coming from nearby Naha, it took me over two hours. Car and bicycle
access to the start area is restricted. The start of the race is
also quite congested, so expect to lose a bit of ground during the
first several kilometers. Without a doubt, the biggest shortcoming
is the course itself: the first half of the course (except the
first few kilometers) is a 150-meter uphill climb, including an
especially steep 1.2K long stretch at the 5K mark. If you make it
to the halfway point in decent shape, however, you should be able
to finish with a good time because the second half is mostly
downhill, with just a few small uphills to break up the monotony.
The Shouhashi Half is best viewed as an opportunity for a fun run.
Forget about the PR; just enjoy the crowd and the scenery, or use
the race as a training run for the NAHA
marathon.
Camp Kinser Half
Marathon
Date: October 8, 2006
Location: Camp
Kinser (M.C.A.S.), Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:28:36
Comments: This race is open to the general
public but is not advertised in the Japanese media. As a result,
most participants are connected to the military, and civilians
might feel a bit out of place. Even so, everyone is warmly
welcomed, and since the race is a small one (about 400 runners),
there are some great fringe benefits: a dozen gifts are raffled off
and trophies are awarded to the top four finishers in each age
group. In addition, a brunch buffet and an awards ceremony are held
following the race. The course is quite flat, but the total lack of
shade makes heat fatigue a real risk. There are almost no
spectators, but the frequent water stops probably saved a few
runners from collapse. Don't forget your suntan lotion!
Iejima Half
Marathon
Date: April 9, 2006
Location: Iejima Island, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:31:47
Comments: Iejima is perfect for a half
marathon as the paved coastline road running along the outside of
the island is approximately twenty kilometers long. Apart from the
short but steep hill at the start and the big hill in the middle of
the course (a 60 meter climb from the 8K point until the halfway
point), most of this course is downhill and easy to run--as you can
see from the Course
Map and Elevation Chart. I was hoping to finish in under 1:30,
but I lost a lot of time battling the hill and the strong headwind
in the second half of the race. Some perks of the race include a
small bottle of awamori, an all-you-can-eat party the night before
the race, and the beautiful scenery. On the downside, the t-shirts
are not very nice, there are few spectators, and only water is
provided at the water stops. Even so, I recommend this marathon for
anyone hoping for a half marathon PR.
Okinawa
Marathon
Date: February 26,
2006
Location: Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 3:12:57
Comments: Not quite as overwhelming as the
NAHA Marathon, but the crowd support is impressive. Click on the
link to go to my Okinawa Marathon webpage.
Whale Straits Tokashiki Around-the-Island Run --
20.901K
Date: February 12,
2006
Location: Tokashiki Island, Okinawa
Prefecture, Japan
Time: 1:35:21
Comments: With steep hills including one
that climbs 200 meters in 2 kilometers, this is probably the most
difficult course in Okinawa. (Take a look at the
Elevation Chart if you don't believe me.) Apart from small
stretches at the beginning and end of the race, none of the course
is flat and most of the hills are quite steep. The uphills are
cancelled (not quite) by the downhills, however, so if you are
strong on hills, you can still do well. At the highest points,
there are several breathtaking views looking down over the island.
If you've been struggling up the hills, however, you probably won't
notice--or care. I would recommend using this race for training
(for uphills and downhills) or to just go slow and enjoy the
sights. Since the island is sparsely populated, there are few
specatators, but there are plenty of water stops. Don't forget to
take a whale watching boat trip. Apparently, the chances of
spotting a whale are quite good. Our boat spotted a couple of
whales, one surfacing directly next to our
boat.
Ocean Expo Park Trim
Marathon -- 19.2K
Date: January 8, 2006
Location: Motobu Town, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:26:15
Predicted Time:
1:30:00
Time Differential:
3:45
Comments: Unlike other races, where the top
prizes go to the fastest runners, a "trim marathon" awards those
who come closest to their predicted finishing time. In Okinawa,
where most runners are casual ones, these races are quite popular.
Needless to say, all watches are banned and distance markers are
kept to a minimum (in the 19.2K, a 10K marker and a "4K remaining"
marker; in the 5.8K, no markers at all). The event's slogan--"Slow
runners are the stars!"--is an apt description, but doesn't quite
inspire. Although the start is crowded, the roads are wide, so
you'll only be slowed down for the first kilometer or so. Even so,
maintaining an even pace will be difficult because very little of
the course is level. The first two or three kilometers (leaving the
park) are a steady downhill, but you'll have to climb this steep
hill at the end. Numerous hills throughout the course, including
three bridges, which force you to run uphill on one side and
downhill on the other, make this a difficult course. Although there
are few spectators, water stations are frequent and are
supplemented by locals. Some runners might not like that many of
the stops only provide barley tea ("mugicha"). I was more bothered
by the fact that there were no water stops on the long stretch on
Sesoko Island. I guess I had been spoiled up until that point. If
you are running one of the longer distances expect to be blocked by
the crowds of people (from the shorter races) walking up the hill
at the end. On the positive side, most of the course runs along the
coastline, so the scenery is quite beautiful. Another plus is that
runners receive nice beach towels instead of the customary
t-shirts. Pretty well organized event overall, but all the steep
uphills and downhills make this a tough course to run. Probably a
good event for casual joggers who want to enjoy the scenery, but
more serious runners will probably not be happy. The odd distances
don't help either--unless you desperately want a personal record at
some unconventional distance.
Chinen Village New
Year Race -- 5K
Date: January 1, 2006
Location: Chinen Village, Okinawa
Prefecture, Japan
Time: 20:21
Comments: This is a no-frills race with only
slightly over a hundred runners--mostly kids and local people.
Given that the race is free, that all runners receive drinks, and
that many awards are given out, you can't go wrong with this race.
Even so, if you are expecting a big event, or have to travel a far
way to participate, you'll probably be disappointed. When we showed
up in front of the town hall office at 9:00 o'clock to register, no
one was there. We asked around and found out that registration
didn't start until 10 o'clock, and that the race didn't start until
12:00! I was originally planning to run the 10K, but the distance
turned out to be only 9K, so I decided to do the 5K instead--a
distance I had never run before. The 2.5K runners are driven down
the road, the 9K runners up the road, and the 5K runners stay in
front of the town hall. Then at precisely 12:00, the three guns go
off, and all three groups run down the same stretch of road,
everyone finishing at the same point. Since there is no traffic
control, you have to watch out for passing cars or run along the
sidewalk. The course is very easy to run--mostly downhill, with a
couple of small uphill stretches mixed in. After the race, there
was a small awards ceremony. My wife won the women's 9K and
received a nice shirt. Great way to start the New Year's!
Kumejima
Marathon
Date: October 23,
2005
Location: Kume Island, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 3:28:46
Comments: One of the best marathons in
Okinawa! Click on the link to go to my Kumejima Marathon
page.
Camp Kinser Half
Marathon
Date: October 9, 2005
Location: Camp
Kinser (M.C.A.S.), Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:40:16
Comments: See above.
Ayahashi Kaichuu Road
Race (Half Marathon)
Date: March 27, 2005
Location: Yonashiro Town, Okinawa
Prefecture, Japan (Yonashiro is now part of Uruma
City)
Time: 1:39:07
Comments: This might very well be the most
beautiful course in all Japan: you run over two bridges that
connect three islands, and for much of the race, you are literally
over the ocean; the view is truly spectular! The course is rather
flat, the only hills being the bridges. The shortcomings of the
race are the minimal spectator support and the unpredictable
weather. Be prepared for strong cross winds and the possibility of
rain.
Nago Half
Marathon
Date: February 13,
2005
Location: Nago, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:34:20
Comments: If your only concern is the course
itself, this half marathon might be a good choice: in spite of the
tough hills in the middle and towards the end of the course, it's a
relatively fast course for Okinawa. If you're looking for a race
with "character," a festive atmosphere, lots of spectators, or nice
participation prizes, run away from this one. Nago is beautiful,
but the city doesn't seem very interested in promoting this race,
which is apparently the oldest race in Okinawa. They're just going
through the motions now.
NAHA
Marathon
Date: December 5,
2004
Location: Naha, Okinawa Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 3:33:39
Comments: There are a couple of tough hills,
but the spectator support is truly overwhelming. Click on the link
to go to my NAHA Marathon webpage.
Sakurajima Half
Marathon
Date: March 7,
2004
Location: Sakurajima, Kagoshima Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:39:25
Comments: Beautful scenery, a relatively
flat course, and great participation gifts make this a good half
marathon. All participants get a big bag of goodies, including a
free ticket to the nearby onsen, mikans, an attractive t-shirt, and
a special gift for foreigners. The lack of specatators and
performances, however, prevent this from being a great race instead
of just a good one.
Tsuno Half
Marathon
Date: February 11,
2004
Location: Tsuno, Miyazaki Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 1:37:32
Comments: A rather low-key race with few
spectators and little character. The highlight, I suppose, is that
you receive a bottle of Tsuno wine. Be sure to visit the winery,
too.
Virginia Beach Rock 'N'
Roll Half Marathon
Date: August 31,
2003
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia,
USA
Time: 1:45:21
Comments: With over a dozen bands lining the
route and thousands of specatators, this race is loads of fun. The
summer heat can kill you, though, so don't just rely on the water
stops. A great race for beginners or runners who just want to enjoy
the atmosphere.
Kushira Sakura
Matsuri 10 Kilometer
Date: April 6,
2003
Location: Kushira, Kagoshima Prefecture,
Japan
Time: 46:10
Comments: More of a family event than a
serious race, but if what you really enjoy is the post-race beer,
then this is a great choice for you. The event is held at Heiwa
Park, which is one of the best places for hanami (or
"cherry-blossom viewing") in the area. Be sure to bring your picnic
basket.
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