さてしばらくの間、「京都マラソン2013レビュー」の連載を続けます。
The first few sessions review the registration process, the start of the day, my running after the start, and what happens after the finish line.
After that, I would like to write about the various impressions I felt through participating in the event, mainly by comparing it to participating in the Tokyo Marathon.
The first one is « Reception. It is held for two days from two days before the race to the day before at Miyako Messe in Kyoto City. Like the Tokyo Marathon, the main purpose of the registration is to receive your bib and commemorative T-shirt.
After arriving in Kyoto, I stayed at Kyoto Tower Hotel right in front of the station, so I decided to leave my luggage there before going to the venue. Fortunately, I was able to check in at around noon, so I was able to leave my luggage in the room.
I immediately bought a one-day ticket (500 yen) for the city bus.
I did, but I’m tired of being crowded as usual, so I decided to walk to Shichijo and head to Jingu-Marutamachi station, which is the closest to the Messe by Keihan as usual.
Why « as usual »? Actually, I lived in Kyoto for four years when I was a university student. Even then, when I went to the station or returned from the station to my lodgings, I used Keihan instead of using the bus.
It’s easier to walk than to stand on the bus all the time.
So, I arrived at Keihan Jingu-Marutamachi station without using the one-day ticket I bought for the city bus. I always used to see the view of Kamo River from here. I miss it…
Still, it’s a beautiful day. It’s hot in Kyoto… I’m already in short sleeves at this point.
It takes a little over 20 minutes to walk from here to Heian Jingu Shrine.
This Heian Shrine is the finish line tomorrow, and Miyako Messe, the registration site, is adjacent to the Heian Shrine.
It was relatively easy to find out where the reception venue was because of the information signs.
When you go inside, you’ll see the entrance area is divided into runners and general public like this.
So we headed over to the runner registration booth…
Isn’t it small? Well, I guess it’s like this…
As I have only participated in the Tokyo Marathon, I couldn’t help but have this image in my mind (laughs).
The Tokyo Marathon 2011.
Well, I’m sure Tokyo is an anomaly.
Now, head to the reception desk. There is a check of identification. I felt they were checking more carefully than in Tokyo.
After that, I received my number. My number is in the 21000 range, so I received my number here.
This area was about the same as the Tokyo Marathon.
The next thing you get is a limited edition t-shirt for the participants, but apparently you get it not on this floor but on the third floor above.
So, follow the guide and move on.
This seems to be the end of the runner-only space, and the so-called event space starts here, but it’s very small and very cramped… Well, I guess this is normal.
I don’t think it’s as big as Tokyo, though.
However, you can see Kyoto-like atmosphere at any time. For example, the distribution of this ema.
Pray for the completion of the race and proceed further. Follow the route and take the escalator to the 3rd floor.
And just down the road, I got my original t-shirt, my proof of participation!
Yeah, it’s as cool as you’d expect! Getting this original t-shirt is one of the joys of participating in a citizens’ marathon.
This was the end of the previous day’s registration. The rest of the day was spent wandering around the event space on the same third floor, and then we left the venue.
Oh, of course we bought some souvenirs and ate some sweets.
This area is very Kyoto-like and nice.
After that, we took a walk around Kyoto University, which was the last part of the course. This area is full of memories because it was my old living area.
I was surprised but relieved to see the unchanged scenery of the « burnt ruins » where the buildings had burned down and the instruments had disappeared without a trace.
It was actually the first time for me to see Orita-sensei who is not a real person.
Then we came back to the hotel at about 5pm and briefly checked what we had received at the reception.
Once again, the runner limited edition t-shirt is so cool!
This is the official program and list of participants.
Yes, it’s a « measurement chip » that automatically records your time, but in the Kyoto Marathon, it’s attached to the back of your bib.
The Tokyo Marathon was the type that attaches to the shoes.
The baggage bag you check in on the day of the race is the same size, shape, and material as the Tokyo Marathon.
The next morning is fast, so you have to do a lot of preparation the day before. But I just have to put my number on my clothes.
After all the preparations were made, we headed to Shijo Omiya to have sukiyaki.
さあ、準備万全。これまでのトレーニングの成果がどういきるのか。この日は早めの10時に就寝。当日は午前5持30分起床です。天気が心配…。
