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Hashimoto runs wonderfully to complete his first entry in the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon
Mr. Kenichi Hashimoto, our employee at Hitachinaka Works and a member of our track and field club, participated in the 64th Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon which is a qualifying event to select marathon runners to represent Japan in the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin. He was our first runner to do so, and finished with a good time of 2 hours 35 minutes 24 seconds (91st out of 188 runners).
Impressive finish
World record holder, Kenyan Paul Tergat, was one of the 188 runners. The weather on the day, March 1, was fine, and the race started from Ojiyama Track and Field Stadium (Otsu, Shiga Prefecture) at 12:30. In the first half of the race, Hashimoto, wearing our company color, kept pace in a group of runners. Then the group broke up and he had trouble with a headwind from about 29km, but made desperate efforts to reach the finish line, encouraged by cheering from onlookers. At 3:05 Hashimoto crossed the finish line at Ojiyama Track and Field Stadium to our waiting cheer group.
12:30, 188 runners start
Hashimoto in the stadium soon after the start
This race has a qualification time of 2 hours 30 minutes achieved in the previous two years. Even during the race, time limits are set at 5km intervals beginning at 15km from the start point, and runners exceeding the times have to withdraw. So crossing the finish line is very difficult in this marathon. In fact at this year's event, 67 of the 188 runners were forced to withdraw after exceeding the time limits. His strenuous effort to complete this tough race was remarkable.
Hashimoto passing our flag at about 25km
Our seven employees formed a cheer group for the race, led by Mr. Nakayama (Career Development Center manager). The group cheered Hashimoto with our flags in taxi-yellow at several places along the route. Their cheering and our flags were broadcast by NHK TV many times. Everybody in the cheer group was very excited to see Hashimoto cross the line
Cheer group from Tsuchiura
Message from Mr. Hashimoto
I am so glad to complete the marathon. I've been thinking so long about running in this race, and I finally made it. I was excited thinking about competing. When I arrived at the stadium in the morning, I braced myself in the special atmosphere of the race in which only elite runners can participate. Although I set off aiming to beat my personal record of 2 hours 27 minutes 58 seconds, I soon realized I was not in good form, so the race was tough all the way. I knew I would not be able to exceed my personal best at around 20km, but I ran very hard to finish the race as fast as possible.
When I arrived back to the stadium where the finish line was, I thought "at last I'm back". It was surely the longest race for me. I'm really pleased I could complete this race I've been dreaming of. Senior colleagues came to see me running and cheered me on, which made me feel very happy. I will train hard to set a new personal record. I want to participate in the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon next year again.
Message from Mr. Nakayama
1) 30 kilmeters 2) doing overtime => working overtime
"I'm pleased I was able to finish," were his first words after crossing the finish line.
Message from Mr. Nakayama, leader of the cheer group
I am astonished with Mr. Hashimoto because he became such a fast runner while working hard at Hitachinaka Works just like the other employees. This was only possible because of his strenuous training that included 30kilometers of running in the dark from around eight o'clock after doing overtime. Mr. Hashimoto is truly a splendid model of amateur athlete. I will continue to support him.
Mr. Nakayama cheering at the stadium (back row, middle)
