Biei Healthy Marathon in Hokkaido

Four intrepid Nambanners, Satohi, Adrian, Harrisson, and Laci, journeyed to Hokkaido for the Biei Half Marathon and 1/8th Marathon on June 12th. They arrived in Sapporo on Friday and spent Saturday sightseeing and carbo-loading at various spots, including a chocolate factory! Biei is deep in the countryside, so the tree-lined course and fresh northern air made the race an enjoyable event. The course started pleasantly with a 4km downhill, then was gently undulating, with an 800m hill at 15K. The top of the hill afforded a nice view, and the cheering schoolgirls halfway up helped to ease the pain. Apparently the climate and atmosphere agreed with our four runners, as Harrisson achieved his “easy run” goal of breaking 90 minutes with a 1:28:20, Laci ran a PB in 1:45:16, Adrian ran 1:54:38 for a 25-minute PB, and Satohi finished 3rd in the 1/8th marathon in 22:09. They concluded the weekend with BBQ in Sapporo…and a few beers, too, we suspect.