Impressive Showing at Tamako Ekiden

The Tamako Ekiden (March 20) is a relay race around Lake (reservoir) Tama, about 25 minutes west of Shinjuku. The distance is an exact 7.242km, the course is rolling the first half, flat the second half, with a steep drop and uphill stair climb in the middle. The weather was good, but it was windy, with a strong wind in your face for the first one or two km.

Namban Rengo entered three four-person men’s teams in the open division, which had 347 teams. We did well, finishing 12th, 13th and 18th.

The top team got off to a fast start thanks to Chris Winter in 24:49 (3:25/k), followed by Kota Torii in 29:33, Lawrence Schneck in 27:55 and Alan Cannon in 28:47 (total time 1:51:04). The second team of solid runners was composed of Steve Karnas in 29:09, Dante Michael in 27:20, Youri Lavoine in 28:30 and Gildas Tuffin in 27:37 (1:52:36) (Gildas outkicking another team in the last few meters for 13th place as the rest of us wildly cheered him on). The third team made a respectable showing led by Yuki Fukushima in 26:34, then Bob Poulson in 30:10, Nizar Grira in 28:13 and Bob Johnston in 30:26 (1:55:23).

We brought the event to a satisfying close with beer and soba at a nearby quaint little soba shop. Mark it on your calendar for next year!

Pep talk — but Bob J. is not impressed.

Bob & Nizar synchronize their watches.

Chris to Kota

Kota to Lawrence

Dante in flight