• At the delightfully named Takanezawa Genki Up Half Marathon in Tochigi on the 14th, Satohi Numasawa ran a 1:38:23 despite some strong winds.
• On the same day in Ushiku, Ibaraki, Yumi Kato ran a 45:19 PB to place 6th in the Ushiku 10K.
• The immensely popular Shibuya Ekiden was held on the 20th. Thanks to Mika Tokairin’s never-ending organizing, Namban Rengo fielded 13 (I think) teams of 4 runners each! There were several high level finishes, including 2nd, 6th and 8th in the open division, and everyone had a great time.
• Lots of Nambanners were out on the 27th for the Shinjuku Half and 10K. Yuki Fukushima set a nice PB of 1:15:56 in the Half, placing 24th overall, and Rie Onodera ran a 1:36. Gary Wilberforce led the way in the 10K, running 32:53 for 1st in his age group and 4th overall. Faith Geraghty placed 3rd female overall in 42:46. Satoshi Hashimoto 39:32, Quint Oga-Baldwin 41:00, Satohi Numasawa 44:24 (6th in rikuren div.) Yasuo Hayakawa 45:47 (PB after 15 years!), plus Eric Lebrasseur, Yuki Seshimo, Ken Pechter, Charles Bertrand, Shinobu Shikauchi and Kazuo Chiba.
• The Tateyama Wakashio Full and 10K was also on the 27th, with nice weather and gorgeous views. Terry Minegishi 3:31:39, Andrew Farmer broke 4:00 with a 3:51:24—congrats! Yoann Potiron set a new PB in the 10K of 37:37. Nick Coyle, Taras Koochin, Fabrizio Raponi and Jay Johannesen were also there.
• Yuta Suda ran a small 10K in 33:18, prepping for a 50K in Hong Kong.
Puffs of breath lead you
To feel more fully alive.
Cold weather running.