MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The air smelled of sunscreen and Bengay as community members and Japanese nationals of all ages prepared for the 43rd Annual Kintai Marathon at the IronWorks Gym here Sunday.
The event consisted of a 13-mile half-marathon, a 26-mile marathon and a five kilometer walk.
More than 1,000 contestants, young and old, attended the marathon in everything from Marine Corps green-on-green to florescent colored running suits.
Contestants started their morning by lathering up with sunscreen and stretching out before a quick warm-up that got everyone energized and ready for the race.
The sound of a gun shot started the first race, the half-marathon, at 10 a.m. The marathon started at 10:10 and the walk kicked off at 10:20.
Contestants ran the race individually and in teams, some with their children in strollers.
Family and friends listened to music while bathing in the sun, socializing and cheering on their loved ones. Children played in the bounce house provided by Marine Corps Community Services Iwakuni and waited patiently for balloon animals from an artistic clown.
As competitors crossed the finish line, they quenched their thirst with water and juice, and grabbed a couple pieces of fruit from vendors outside of the gym.
“That was the longest I’ve ever ran in my life,” said Marc Morgenstern, a broadcaster with American Forces Network who had just completed his first half-marathon. “The hardest part about it was having to run the course twice.”
After cooling down from the race, contestants were provided with a hot plate of pasta and garlic bread.
Darci Kruse, the assistant director for the Health Promotions Office for Semper Fit, place first in her division for the half-marathon, after having a child only five and a half months ago.
“I ran all the way up until my due date,” said Kruse.
“I ran about four miles a day, five times a week, and I hope to do the full marathon next year.”
The marathon brought together community members from around the station and from around Japan to do what they all love to do … run.