| Helping with the operation
of the Sendai Half Marathon |
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Chairman of the Sendai City
Sports Instructor Association,
HIRATSUKA Kazuhiko (Resident
of Sendai City) We, sports instructors,
support runners by controlling crowds on the roadsides, helping
out with registration and supplying water for runners at aid stations.
Because the marathon is an outdoor event, most of the problems we
had those related to weather conditions. We had to be very attentive
in order to make conditions as comfortable as possible for the runners.
Whenever there were strong winds, we had to make sure that nothing
flew away or fell over to distract the runners. Also when there
was snow, we had to make preparations the preceding day. In the
beginning, receiving and delivering the participants' personal belongings
were difficalt tasks. But now, since everyone has gotten used to
his or her assigned work, operations have run more smoothly. Everyone
makes his or her best efforts to make the race a success. The Sendai
Half Marathon, is held in March every year, and is one of the events
the people of Sendai always look forward to. Jozenji Avenue, one
of Sendai's main streets, is like a festival square where the Sendai
Tanabata Matsuri (the star festival) is held in August, and where
the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival is held in September.
When you see the runners dash through the street, you know that
it's helping to make Sendai really appealing. I think the Sendai
Half Marathon is probably the first event to use the street in such
a way. What makes us really happy is to learn that among the runners
who have participated in our race in the past, some have actually
gone on to compete at the Olympics or at world championship races.
This type of reward really encourages us. Seeing professional runners
running right before our eyes makes us and all those who've come
to see the event really excited. However I do wish that the qualifications
and the running time limit weren't as strict. I don't mean changing
it to resemble a fun run, but if the time limit for reaching the
goal were to be extended to about 2 hours, I think we would have
more amateur runners who would have the chance to actually feel
the excitement of the race. I think even by extending the time by
only 30 minutes would make a difference.
I really want more people to have the wonderful experience of running
together with top-level professional runners. |
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Sendai City
Sports Instructor
ONO Atsuko (Resident of Sendai City)
Ever since the first race in 1991, I and 20 other members have
been engaged in reception desk work on the preceding day and day
of the race.
I enjoy my work because the overseas runners invited from Sendai's
sister and friendship cities and their interpreters are very friendly.
Having friendly and cheerful people enter the race makes the entire
event more fun and exciting. I wish the Japanese runners would also
smile more and enjoy the event, instead of just coming in to register
and go right home.
Like the Sendai Half Marathon, sports events are indispensable activities
for establishing close communications with the local area. Since
Sendai has many sports facilities, we are lucky to have such a good
environment. I hope that by using these facilities, children will
become more interested and involved in sports.
To tell you the truth, I used to be a 400m track-and-field athlete
myself, so I really feel that running is the foundation of all sports.
As long as you run, you can become good at almost any sport.
For me, the runner who left a great impression on me during the
past 13 years is Lidia Simon, who was invited to the 5th race in
1999. On the day before the race, she shook hands with each of the
receptionists with a great smile on her face, which made me feel
overwhelmed. I still can remember how we were all glad and felt
very happy. Esther Wanjiru is another runner I remember very well
because I've watched her run
in Ekiden Road Rally and other races since I was a high school student,
I still can't keep my eyes off her. |
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International Exchange
Volunteer Network in Sendai (IV network)
Chairman of the Sister City Committee
FUKUDA Kinuko (Resident of Sendai City)
We provide daily support to overseas runners who have been invited
from our sister cities. Our job begins by welcoming the athletes
when they arrive at either Sendai Airport or Sendai Station. It
is a moment of joy when we hug each other and celebrate the reunion.
And when the race is over, we again hug each other and share the
sorrow of parting.
During their stay in Sendai, overseas runners seem to really enjoy
Japanese food. As part of the exchange program, we make pounded
rice-cakes together. The runners really seem to enjoy rice cakes
eaten with either Japanese sweet bean paste, fermented soybeans,
walnut paste, or young soybean paste. They seem to think Sendai
is a peasant town, and it makes us really happy when they always
accept our invitation without any hesitation.
Some volunteer workers stay in touch with some of the runners even
after the race and have become close friends even, to the extent
of visiting each other's country. In addition to the joy of cheering
for the runner of our own country, I think the people of Sendai
know how fulfilling it is to be able to give cheers to all runners
from all countries. I feel that this event has really been successful
at establishing international exchange and friendship through marathon.
If I were to make one suggestion, it would concern the time when
the marathon is held. Right now, it is held in March when it is
still very cold in Sendai. There are even times when we have snow,
so I think it would be better it was held in the early half of April
instead. I think this would help the runners who come from warm
countries to run more comfortably.
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Volunteer
IGARASHI Tomofumi
(Junior at Tohoku Fukushi University)
In the 12th (2002) and 13th (2003) events, I was assigned to assist
wheelchair runners by carrying their daily-use wheelchair and their
personal belongings from the starting to finishing point. The wonderful
thing about this event is that people like us can see top athletes
in both half marathon and wheelchair race. It was a great pleasure
for me to get acquainted with some of the top athletes who joined
the Paralympics. I have made new friends because of the event.
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Volunteer
HARADA Namiko
(Junior at Tohoku Fukushi University)
I was worked as a volunteer for the wheelchair runners in the
13th (2003) event. Although I was a supporter, they rarely needed
my help because they could do almost everything by themselves. I
tried to provide assistance when they were in need so as not to
disturb their concentration. It was an important experience for
me to help with an international event like this. I also impressed
with the way the top athletes ran. I
hope Sendai citizens, as well as the people on the sidelines will
become more interested in wheelchair race. I look forward to taking
part in the event again next year as a volunteer.
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