Namban Rengo interval training at Oda Field, Shibuya every Wednesday evening, 7:20 for 7:30 start. The last Wednesday of the month is a 5 km time trial. Access is a 10 minute walk from Harajuku Station. Lockers & showers available (free but lockers take a 100 yen coin, returnable). Cost of the workout is free. Just turn up and join in. All levels catered for.
The Namban Spotlight column is an occasional feature in which we profile or interview a member of Namban Rengo.
Yoshiko Katakura is one of Namban’s favorite daughters. A tough and fast competitor on the track or road, she is also one of the most pleasant and popular. She always has a smile for her cheering supporters, even when fighting pain late into a full-marathon, and is never shy to offer advice to less experienced runners. Spotlight caught up with Yoshiko recently and put a few questions to her about racing, training, and her history with Namban Rengo.
Two dozen Nambanners enjoyed the annual weekend excursion to the foothills of Mount Fuji for the Fuji-Susono Half-Marathon & 10k on May 8-9. It was a festive, family-friendly party with shopping, singing, feasting, skating and water-slides — not to mention the hilly half-marathon.
1 May 2010. The annual TELL charity race around the Imperial Palace was a great success for Namban again this year. Conditions were almost perfect, if a little warm. Almost 1,000 people took part in the various events. Congratulations to all who ran and came out to support their teammates.
Nambanners who won prizes:
10K Men
Omar Minami - 2nd in 35:02
Robert Kloepper - 9th in 37:03
(James Midgely 11th - too bad!)
10k Women
Satohi Numasawa - 3rd in 43:12
5K Men
Yoshitaka Ishikawa - 8th in 18:32
Paddy O’Connor - 9th in 19:03
5K Women
Rie Onodera - 2nd in 19:52
Jaynie Maddock - 4th in 21:47
Yuri Kanbara - 5th in 21:50
Yoshiko Katakura - 6th in 22:14
Photos courtesy of Shoji-san
28 March 2010. Four Nambanners enjoyed the pageantry and international diversity of the Jeju Ultramarathon Race in South Korea. The 50k and 100k events followed Jeju’s rugged shoreline. 3 members lined up for the 50k, while Yoshitaka attempted the full 100k. Jay captured a fantastic 1st place and Matthias an excellent 4th in the 50k. Unfortunately Michael had to retire with an injury but was able to encourage his teammates. Race officials generously provided Nambanners with 5-star hotel accommodations, free race registration, as well as sharp-looking, pink jackets.
(L-R) Jay, Mattias, Yoshitaka and Michael
Keren and Geraldine ran Shinjuku Half marathon on January 31. Here are their reports, in a slightly unconventional format it has to be said.
Sunday 17th January, 2010 saw the running of the 29th Frostbite Half Marathon. It’s held in Yokoka Air Force base in western Tokyo. Eight club members ran the race officially, although a few others were spotted on the course but appeared to be running under cover. The organisers of the event – Yokoto Striders – helped squeeze of few Nanban runners in with only a few days notice which was much appreciated. Conditions were perfect, a little chilly, calm and the sun was shining. The course is run in and around an airfield and as a result is very flat. In a rare case, the race had to start 30 minutes early, some jet was due to land and wasn’t waiting for backmarkers.
In our last race report for 2009 we have something a little out of the ordinary. Diminutive Singapore-based Nambanner Mika Kume performed an incredible feat this past October when she ran a six-day team-race through the Sahara Desert. Just stop for a moment and absorb that. Six days. Through a desert. The Sahara Desert! Mika may be small of stature but she is a giant when it comes to effort, determination and pure grit. And she did not just finish—her team finished second overall and she was the second fastest woman!
Seven club members made the short trip down to the picturesque port city to take part in the race. All ran the half marathon. It was dry, but when the wind blew it was quite bracing and everyone was reluctant to change into their running gear until the very last moment. The race starts alongside the lovely Yamashita Park but immediately heads southwards and within minutes takes runners into the concrete and container-filled desolation of the Yokohama dock area. Those who enjoy sterile bleakness of the Kanagawa Half will love this course. Scenery aside, it is almost completely flat. There were only three water stations, no sports drinks, on the course which most felt was too few. No PBs were recorded, but Satohi had a great run, finishing 9th in her category. Mary and Adam also were very pleased with their efforts. A well deserved all-you-could-eat Chinese was enjoyed afterwards. Yoshiko-san joined us after a grueling 40km training run that morning. Chiba-san also joined us after a grueling train journey from Saitama.
Paddy: 1:25
Satohi: 1:31
Adam: 1:32
Chika: 1:38
Mary: 1:42
Peter: 1:49
We had a fantastic turnout for the innagural Annual Half Marathon and 10K Race and BBQ on Sunday November 1 down by the Arakawa river near Akabane, in the North of Tokyo. Perhaps it was the lure of a BBQ cookup by the river afterwards, but the event proved wildy popular, with 30 runners in the 10k race, 22 runners in the half marathon, and almost 70 people joining the post-race BBQ. Thanks to everyone who joined for making it such a fantastic and memorable day out. And to everyone who missed out this time - never mind, we will be doing it again no doubt.
It was a successful day last Sunday, October 25th, at the Katsunuma Budou kyo Marathon in scenic Yamanashi-ken with two strong efforts by Nambanners Rei Onodera and Chika Kanai. Rei-san held on bravely for second place in a great time of 1:29:36 in the half marathon after leading until the 12km mark. Chika-san also made the podium in the 10km race after taking 6th place with a time of 44:48. Both ladies were very pleased to win 4kg boxes of grapes and bottles of wine, along with large medals.
The Edogawa 10k is a popular annual event for Nambanners. Perhaps it is becoming too popular - this year it filled up in 5 days. Eight Nambanners did register in time and enjoyed the pageantry, the flat windy course and the traditional post-race Mexican food.
Photos courtesy of Tamami
A small group of Nambanners made their way to Watarase for the inaugural Smile Half Marathon earlier today. Watarase is located in the far north of Saitama where it borders Tochigi, Ibaraki and Gunma prefs. The course is three loops around a large reservoir. It’s a great location — very green and tranquil. It is pancake flat on a good tarmac surface and based on GPS readings is very accurate.
19th July 2009
A total of 15 club members took part in the 7th Obuse MiNi marathon. The half marathon saw a record 7,500 runners compete this year. Despite being very overcast when the team left central Nagano at 5am, as the race was about to start at 7:30 the heat of the sun had rapidly burned through most of the protective cloud cover. This made for a tough start as runners made their way into the only real uphill section, between 4-6km. Thankfully after about 40 minutes some clouds re-appeared above the course which helped reduce the temperature, even if just a little.
A large group of club members (30+) made the journey to the foothills of Mount Fuji for the Fuji Susono marathon. The undulating course on a clear and hot day made for a challenging race but it seems all who took part finished with smiles on their faces. The clear conditions meant spectacular views of Mt. Fuji could be enjoyed for much of the race.
 Inagi Ekiden 7 |
 Ohtawara 2008 |