MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station members and Japanese nationals bombarded the streets during the 44th annual Kintai Marathon at the IronWorks Gym here April 18.
The event consisted of a half marathon, a fullmarathon and a five-kilometer walk. Sakane Miho took first place in the women’s division of the halfmarathon with a time of 1:29:11, and Hirayama Motoo placed first for the men’s division with a time of 1:12:32.
Fujiwara Mayumi came in first for the women’s division of the full marathon with a time of 3:27:17, while Nagashita Takahisa took first in the men’s division with a time of 2:38:47.
More than 1,000 contestants, young, old and in between attended the marathon in everything from traditional Marine Corps green-on-green and glow straps to florescentcolored short shorts and sweat bands.
Runners started off their morning by lathering up with sunscreen and BenGay, stretching out, and participating in a group warm-up session that got them pumped-up 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 a.m., and the walk kicked off at 10:20 a.m.
While avid runners raced around the station individually or in teams, other participants briskly walked the seawall. Participants consisted of both beginners and seasoned runners.
“I got into running only a couple (of) months ago,” said Jason Green, a half-marathon participant. “It’s something to pass the time. It’s something I’m almost addicted to now.”
Family and friends posted up their tents, blankets, and lawn chairs while they listened to music, bathed in the sun, socialized and cheered on their loved ones, while children played in the bounce house and waited patiently for balloon animals from an enthusiastic clown.
Vendors provided water, juice and pieces of fruit to sunburnt, tired and sore Marines, sailors and Japanese nationals as they trickled past the finish line.
“I feel sore, but I feel like I’ve accomplished something,” said Green. “I’m scheduled to do 26 miles in Washington D.C. for Halloween this year.”
Even after enduring a 13 or 26-mile run, participants encouraged others to participate next year.
“If you want to run a marathon or even a half marathon, don’t think, just do it,” said Ly Tach a half-marathon participant. “Go out there, run and just try to be faster than the person in front of you."