NOVEMBER 2011

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

NOVEMBER

• Harrisson Uk and Satohi Numaswa ran in the Shonan Half Marathon on November 3rd. Held on a course that hugs the coast south of Yokohama, this year’s edition had little wind but considerable warmth — about 18C and the start and 20C at the finish. Harrisson ran a 90% effort but still recorded a PB of 1:20:45. Satohi ran about 1:43. not recording an official time because the Half is a special race with a time limit of 90 minutes! The full marathon has about 18,000 runners.
• The 13th saw the 3rd annual running of the Namban Half and 10K, plus barbecue as an added attraction. 44 people participated, 22 in each race, aided by a large group of great volunteers organized by Phil Ryan. Half honors went to Richard Dawson in 1:25:22, with Greg Stevens 2nd in 1:25:34 and James Midgely 3rd in 1:26:33. Half women’s winner was guest Rowena Crouch from Sydney in 1:32:03. Kylie Breeze was 2nd and Rie Onodera 3rd. The 10K men’s winner was Brett Larner in 37:28, women’s victor was Rieko Trees in 47:22. There was also a terrific kid’s race for future Nambanners.
• Bob Poulson ran the Toda Half Marathon in Saitama on the 20th, finishing in 1:25:26, good enough for 2nd in his age group out of 207 men.
• The Ohtawara Marathon and 10K in Tochigi pref. was held on the 23rd with about eight club members joining. Taro Oguchi ran to a PB of 3:28:18. Placing in 10K age group categories were Rieko Trees in 7th, Chika Kanai in 8th and Mike Trees in 7th.
• 11 Nambanners ran for charity (breast cancer) in the Run for the Cure on the 26th. Natalie Darbon won the women’s 10K in a quick 40:25, while Ed Clease, Richard Dawson and Michael Tandler were 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the men’s 10K. Pat Higase ran a PB 47:17.
• The day after her 10K victory, Nathalie ran 1:59:10 for 27K at the Kawaguchiko Marathon (which also has a 27k race, for some reason).
• The Tsukuba Marathon, a very popular race (8,000? spots filled up in 6 hours) was run on the 27th with Cory McGowan and Don Roxburgh enjoying the course, but not having great days. Let’s just say they’ll do better next time!

DECEMBER

All Namban workouts at Oda Field from 7:25pm.
• 4 Okutama Ekiden
• 4 Yokohama Half Marathon
• 7 Namban workout 1000 x 6
• 11 Mitake Trail Race
• 14 Namban workout 600/800/1000/1200/1000/800/600
• 21 Namban workout 1200, 1200, 1000, 1000, 800, 800
• 28 Namban workout 5000m TT (the track will be open!)

HAIKU OF THE MONTH

Last month of the year
Last chance for running glory
This year, anyway