Races in Japan

Since Japanese are active people, its no surprise that popular races found stateside are making their way across the Pacific.  I've had the opportunity to participate in a couple of these races this year.  They are more for fun, rather than for the competitive at heart.

Warrior Dash

This year, there will be two locations for this 4 mile obstacle course race.  The one I participated in in June was held a couple hours from Yokosuka in the Sagimahara Pleasure Forest.  It was hot, humid, and a pretty decent hilly trail.  Not too easy; not too hard.  What I liked most (aside from the complimentary beer at the end) was that they had modified obstacles throughout most of the course.  Also, if one chose to do go through the mud pit at the end, there were hoses nearby to rinse off and changing areas.  Here's more information about the race held in November: contact@warriordash.jp  OR http://warriordash.jp/

The Color Run
The Color Run came to Yokosuka Base on 4 July.  Dressed in white shirts, competitors ran the 4 mile flat course welcomed by a  multitude of powdered color every mile.  The day was humid and there was a lot of moisture in the air.  All-in-all, the run was fun one to do to ring in Independence Day!

Before

After

Competitive Races in Japan

• Tokyo Marathon - registration is usually around August, and there is a lottery to get in.  Its becoming more and more difficult for people to make the cut.  http://www.tokyo42195.org/2014en/
• Seaside Marathon in Yokosuka- 1/2 or full marathon held in November.  I heard the race was closed in a day.  There's also a cut-off time for this race. http://www.yokosuka-seaside.jp/index.shtml
• Mount Fuji Marathon  also known as Lake Kawaguchi Marathon.  Held in November, this is a very scenic and popular race for runners.  Here's their website: http://fujisan-marathon.com/