Namban Challenges the 4-minute Mile
Left: 4:12 team of Keren, Harrisson, Greg and Michael. Right: 3:56 team of Joe, Jay, Stan and Petr.
For our pre-bonenkai (year-end party) fun run this year, we decided to do something a bit different: on the track, have two teams of four runners each try to run a four-minute mile. Roger Bannister first did it in 1954. Could Namban Rengo do it today? The format was for each runner to run 100m four times, jogging back after each to where he started (a somewhat quick jog—you only have 45 seconds). The fourth runner has to run 109 on his final leg (1 mile = 1609m). After taking a while to figure out where each person should start, positioning people at those places and designating an official timer, the runners were off! Sprinting all out four times with little rest is no easy task, but the eight guys gave it all they had. And the result was? One team 4:12. The other team…3:56! They made it! So we now know…a 4-minute mile is damn fast! It was fast when Roger Bannister did it on a dirt track 50 years ago and it’s still fast. It took 4 guys, all in good shape, one of them a fast 800m runner, to do it. Go ahead, try it. Get four people and give it a go (or even 8 people). You’ll gain new respect for that legendary barrier, and for Roger Bannister.
Support: Barry, Shamir, Jon, Yuka, Taeko, Yoshiko, Kanna (not Kiki), Bob
Yokohama Half and 10K
It was a beautful day on December 4th when ten Nambanners made the trip to Yokohama for a popular Half and 10k. Not popular with the police, however, as the streets had to be clear after a 1:57 time limit (and who chose that time?). Unfortunately, there was also a fairly brisk wind, which got even stronger near the end of the race. Nevertheless, it didn’t bother Pat, Satoe and Padraig, all of whom recorded PBs in the Half. Jaynie, Mary, Gemma, Michael and Khalfan also ran 21.1k, while Harrisson (PB) and Ma ran the 10K. Shinobu and Satohi went along to lend support. Naturally, the post-race lunch carbo re-loading was in Chinatown.
6 Namban Teams Run in Okutama Ekiden
Okutama, one of the oldest ekidens in Japan, saw its 73rd running on December 4th. Held in the countryside far west of Tokyo proper (but still Tokyo), it has a hilly course that meanders along a river before returning to the town of Ome. Namban Rengo has participated every year since 1988 (it was the first race we ever entered) and this year we upped our presence with three men’s teams (6 members each) and three women’s teams (3 members each). Men’s course is 44.4km, but women’s is only 11.1 (old school - the race is also hand-timed). Afterwards we repaired to our traditional sushi restaurant for food and drink (lots) and watching the last part of the Fukuoka marathon on TV. A good day!
Run for the Cure
The Run for the Cure, a charity race benefitting efforts to eradicate breast cancer, was held at the Imperial Palace loop on November 26th. There were 5K and 10K races and a 5K walk, with prizes for the top three men and women in both races. Participants were cheered on by Hooters girls at each kilometer mark, and were entertained post-race by a great taiko drumming group featuring about 20 good-looking women, including a number of breast cancer survivors. Refreshing post-race ale was courtesy of Baird’s Brewery. Special guest was Ai Ueda, former Japan and Asian triathlon champion and 2012 Olympic team member, who cruised along with Bob and Sara Wilhelm (photo) and never stopped smiling.
Namban highlights were Natalie Darbon winning the 10K (photo, finishing ahead of Stan!), and Ed Clease 2nd and Richard Dawson 3rd in the 10K. Also running were Michael (4th in 10K), Stan, Satoe, Mary, Pat (PB 47:17!), Barry, Paddy and Bob.
Perfect Weather for a Perfect Namban Event
Warm and sunny weather, 10K and half marathon races, hamburgers and hot dogs, beer and wine, and 90 of the nicest people in the world — Namban Rengo members, families and friends — made for a perfect day on Sunday, Nov. 13th. Thanks to the efforts of Phil Ryan and his team of volunteers, the races went off smoothly, times were taken accurately and prizes were generously awarded. And like last year, one of the highlights of the day was the kids’ race, where the adults have a chance to see and remember what the pure joy of running should be.
Namban loop Tokyo’s Yamanote line (30/10/2011)
Namban looped Tokyo’s famous Yamanote train line on foot for the 6th time this year. 29 set off from Harajuku station on a perfect autumn morning, and 8 made it past the 29 stations to complete the full 39km circuit.
Suwako Half Marathon (23/10/2011)
A small Namban contingent made the trip to Nagano pref. for this popular Half Marathon. Conditions were generally good, if a little warm at the start. The course, after a few kilometers around the town, is a full loop of Lake Suwa. It’s reasonably flat on a closed road. Best time of the day went to new club member Richard (1:23:06), followed by Cory, a 1:23:26 (PB). And Paddy just squeezed into the 1:23 club with a 1:23:57 effort. Next came Phil (1:46), followed by Taeko and then Geraldine.
Out to the Boondocks for the Watarase Half (9/25/2011)
The Watarase Half Marathon is a nice medium-size race held far out in the Saitama countryside. After a 2-hour trip, you arrive in the “town” of Yagyu, which consists of a small station and a few houses. If you want to eat after the race, you bring your own food. The course is flat and fast, looping around a scenic reservoir and surrounded by greenery. The weather tends to be warm, but fortunately it was cloudy for half of the race. Six Nambanners enjoyed a pleasant day, with varying degrees of success. Bob Poulson led the pack with a 1:26:02, good for 6th place in the 50-and-over division (winning a “HiTeck Tumbler”, which is a drink mug). He complained endlessly that the 4th 5k section was long, and pointed this out to the race officials. Whether this meant that the overall course was long or not is open to question, although two Garmins indicated that it probably was not (however, Bob does not trust Garmins). Paddy O’Connor was in next in 1:29:16, suffering from “seizures” in both calves, after a perfectly paced (low 1:20s) first 15k. Robert Hogan was next in a nicely run 1:43:20, followed closely by Padraig MacColgain in 1:43:45. Pat Higase finished strongly in 1:49:33, an excellent achievement since she did not feel good before the start. Elsie DeLorenzo completed the group in 1:59:26, having had a problem with dehydration. It’s a good race — hope more club members will do it next year.
Namban bid farewell to the summer
Namban made their second trip of this summer to Kamakura for an end-of-season swim session and trail run. Led as usual by the human GPS, Jay, they wound their way through the rugged trails that surround the historic city. The previous days heavy rain exposed rock and roots, but all made it back to the beach unscathed. A large group then refreshed themselves well into the night. It’s likely to be hot for about another month, but the bars and beach huts will already have been dismantled and stored for next July.
Namban race to Mt. Fuji summit
Several Nambanners participated in the grueling Mt Fuji race held on July 22. Billed as one of Japan toughest half-marathons, the full summit race features a course that starts in front of Fuji-Yoshida city hall (750m altitude). The 21km route follows a road with a gradual incline for the first 11.4km, a steeper forest trail for 5km to 5th station (2,200m altitude) and then a non-runnable volcanic trail to the top of Mt. Fuji (3,776m altitude).
Full summit finishers within the 4:30 time limit included: Yoshi (3:19), Michael (3:43), Harrisson (4:18), Stan (4:18) and Wojtek (4:24). Rie was ever-so close missing the cut-off by just 6 minutes (4:36). Finishers were able to enjoy gorgeous clear views on a beautiful day from the highest point in Japan while vowing never to do the race again. There was also a “shorter” but still tough 15km race that started on the same route but stopped at 5th station. Namban finishers included Yukiko (2:06) and Laci (2:24). Several finishers were also spotted “relaxing” the very next day at the Namban Kamakura run/beach party.
Biei Healthy Marathon in Hokkaido
Four intrepid Nambanners, Satohi, Adrian, Harrisson, and Laci, journeyed to Hokkaido for the Biei Half Marathon and 1/8th Marathon on June 12th. They arrived in Sapporo on Friday and spent Saturday sightseeing and carbo-loading at various spots, including a chocolate factory! Biei is deep in the countryside, so the tree-lined course and fresh northern air made the race an enjoyable event. The course started pleasantly with a 4km downhill, then was gently undulating, with an 800m hill at 15K. The top of the hill afforded a nice view, and the cheering schoolgirls halfway up helped to ease the pain. Apparently the climate and atmosphere agreed with our four runners, as Harrisson achieved his “easy run” goal of breaking 90 minutes with a 1:28:20, Laci ran a PB in 1:45:16, Adrian ran 1:54:38 for a 25-minute PB, and Satohi finished 3rd in the 1/8th marathon in 22:09. They concluded the weekend with BBQ in Sapporo…and a few beers, too, we suspect.
Oxfam Trailwalker 2011 – REPORT
Namban Rengo was well represented in the 5th Oxfam Japan Trailwalker event over the weekend of 14–15 May. The grueling 100-km challenge starts in Odawara and traverses rugged mountain ranges through the volcanic caldera of Hakone National Park before finishing at Lake Yamanaka. Less race than physical challenge that pits man (and woman) against nature, Trailwalker was held about a month later than usual this year because of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Teams of four must complete the course within 48 hours, signing in together at eight check points along the way.
Trailwalker is becoming more popular with Namban members year by year, and this edition featured at least 15 club members across six teams. James, Juergen, Yoshi and their friend Ko-san were the first team to finish in an incredible 16 hours and 44 minutes. Phil, Don and Ed finished in 4th place in about 21 hours. A team featuring Martin came home in 22 hours. Gareth, Paddy, Peter and Chika finished in 29:14 and Mary, Jaynie and Caroline with their friend Susie followed a mere 10 minutes later in 29:25. Fabrizio finished near the 30 hour mark.
A squadron of club members came out to support the competitors along the way, and many competitors expressed deep gratitude for their moral-boosting presence, citing failure to complete as a likely consequence had these hardy supporters not made the journey!
Congratulations to everybody, not only Namban folks, who competed in and supported this grueling and very worthwhile fundraising event!
Tohoku Disaster Fundraiser
On Saturday March 19, through social networking and word of mouth, members of Namban Rengo brought together some 80 people to run or walk laps around the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery to raise funds to help relieve the plight of the people of disaster-struck Tohoku. Through the power of running, we raised over 600,000 yen. Great work Namban and the runners and triathletes of Tokyo and their friends!
On Friday the 11th of March 2011 at 2:46 pm Japan time, a 9.0M earthquake and the tsunami it triggered devastated the northern prefectures of the Japanese main island of Honshu. Entire towns on the Pacific coast were washed away. Some 10 days later the death toll is unclear, but is estimated to be in the vicinity of 10,000 to 20,000 people. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and loved ones. Lifelines are totally disrupted. The government and aid agencies have scrambled to provide search and rescue as well as relief operations, but the scale of the disaster was so overwhelming that recovery will take many years, and some places may never return to their former self.
In Tokyo we were shaken in our buildings and our lives have been disturbed by the quake and its consequences. But with electricity rationing and shortages of supermarket lines and gasoline, the worst that most of us have experienced is some loss of convenience. Our hearts, however, were heavy with the knowledge of the suffering in the north. Television images through Friday night and Saturday following the quake left us in no doubt about the scale of the disaster. But we were powerless to help.
Or were we?
On Saturday November 19, through social networking and word of mouth, members of Namban Rengo brought together some 80 people to run or walk laps around the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery to raise funds to help relieve the plight of the people of Tohoku. Participants were asked to pledge an amount for each lap completed, and were able to bring sponsorship. Many supporters also pledged donations to this fund-raising event. Starting the organizing on Wednesday the 16th, we spread the word through our own club, through Facebook, and though the mailing lists of several other groups. Apart from members of Namban Rengo, Harriers provided great support as did a number of triathletes and unaffiliated citizens who walked and ran their way towards helping the people of Tohoku.
As a result of our combined efforts we raised an amazing 600,000 yen. This money will be divided between the Japan Red Cross, Medicins sans Frontiers, and other groups working on the front line to assist survivors.
Namban’s warm and heartfelt thanks go out to all concerned.
Participants point toward Tohuku
Tokyo Marathon 2011 — Amazingly Good Weather
With a reputation for horrible weather conditions and a forecast of rain in the days leading up to it, the Tokyo Marathon surprised this year with clear, sunny skies. If anything, it was too warm, as temperatures climbed to 18C/64F. 24 Nambanners took to the streets of the capital, packed with 30,000 runners and who knows how many spectators. Our numbers were down by about half this year, as 300,000 applicants made getting a spot much less likely. The Namban cheering troop was also out in force, with several groups criss-crossing the city to lend support in various spots.
We had several PBs, a few good marathon debuts, and best of all, everyone finished with no major injuries, just the usual aches and pains (even though the weather was nice, the course was still 42.195km). It was nice to see Joachim and Christiane from China and Carol from Australia. We also welcomed a friendly group of seven from Golden Legs Running in Chicago to our traditional post-race bash.
Big thanks to Meg for the photos
Now that’s good running form! Photo taken by Bob at the 6k point
Namban Rengo’s friendly neighborhood Ekiden
Namban Rengo fielded five teams at this year’s Shibuya Ekiden that was held in our beloved Yoyogi Park on a very cold morning on Sunday, January 16th. The Shibuya Ekiden often gives new Namban Rengo members their first taste of a Japanese ekiden (team relay), and it also marks the start of the busy winter running season for many team regulars. Even though it is short ekiden by local standards with four 2.8km legs, the competition was hot as usual on a tight course that winds its way around one section of Yoyogi Park. And the convenience of the race, located in the park and across from Oda Field is another big draw card.
We were defending champions from 2010 in the Ladies Open and Men’s Masters. But this year the standard of competition was far tougher with some University runners and ex-professionals making appearances in some of the other teams. Namban could not match the lofty highs of last year’s results, but still managed to record two second place finishes in the both the Open Men and Ladies, and a third place finish in the Masters Men. The Open Mens A Team also finished in a creditable 6th place.
Namban A 6th in 41:05 , Namban B 17th in 45:22 and Namban C were 55th in 51:12 out of 113 teams.
Open Women: 2nd place in 47:19 out of 17 teams.
Masters Men (40+): 3rd place in 42:20 out of 28 teams.
Open Men A
1 James Midgely (captain)
2 Juma Khalfan
3 Kerrin Rattray
4 Michael Tandler
Open Men B
1 Taro Oguchi (captain)
2 Lars Uhelin
3 Luke McDonald
4 Cory McGowan
Open Men C
1 Dan Newman
2 Kazuo Chiba (captain)
3 Shosaku Yamada
4 Daniel Seite
Masters A
1 Keren Miers
2 Terry Minegishi
3 Juergen Wittstock
4 Fabrizio Raponi (captain)
Women A
1 Kylie Breeze
2 Rie Onodera
3 Satoe Aoki
4 Mika Tokairin (captain)
Photos: Kazuo Chiba
