MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- It may have been only about 47 degrees farenheit outside, but that didn’t stop the runners from bringing the heat at the annual Heat the Streets 10K Run and 5K Walk Sunday at the IronWorks Gym here.
The station invited local Japanese nationals to come aboard the station and partake in some friendly competition with community members.
One hundred fifty-nine runners participated, 30 American and 129 Japanese.
Runners were categorized according to their age and gender, and the top three runners in each category were awarded a trophy.
The categories were: 29 years and under, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, and 60 years and up.
A Japanese runner in the 29 years and under division, Nagashita Takahisa, was the first to complete the race with a time of 33:33.
Takahisa was closely followed by Fujimura Takashi and Ishizu Hideki, also of the 29 years and under division, with times of 33:43 and 33:58 respectively.
One would think that the cold weather would slow a runner’s time, but participants refused to let the conditions affect them.
One participant even made the comment that the mind-altering cold was fine as long as their legs worked. It just goes to show the passion and competitive nature the participants exhibited.
“I started running to lose weight. Some of the ladies I know said that they were running, too, so that gave me reason to run,” said Sayaka Takabayashi, Japanese participant and fitness class instructor at the IronWorks Gym.
“People running here today, it’s good. Even if they walk, or run, it’s better than not doing anything,” Takabayashi added.
Heat the Streets wasn’t just a competition. It served an even bigger purpose – building a lasting relationship with the station’s host country.
“Events like these are good to show camaraderie, work together and be good hosts, because we’re in their country,” said Vickie Feyedelem, runner who took third place in the Women’s 30-39 division.
“I think it’s good to give them the opportunity to participate in some of the events we have and get that bond a little closer,” she added.
After completing the race and walk, community members and local Japanese nationals enjoyed the opportunity to socialize while enjoying refreshments.
It’s important to invite Japanese onto the base for events like this because it’s different from what they think, said Takabayashi. It’s not just people walking around in uniform. There’s a lot more going on, she added.