A few years back I was handed a t-shirt after running in
Melbourne’s Marathon Festival. “Run as One” it announced. I didn’t think much
about how I should interpret the message, but after running the Fuji Susono Half
Marathon earlier this month, I believe the community of Susono can better lay
claim to the slogan.
Melbourne’s huge event is run efficiently thanks to the
employment of a large and expensive event management corporation, but the
personal touch is missing. Susono attracted just over three thousand runners
and presented them with something extra. Involvement in something that the
community makes happen.
Susono draws on its resources fully. School kids collect
timing chips and print out certificates, grandmas register runners; businesses
provide transport; the mayor congratulates runners; soldiers make soup, dads
lay out signage, a local doctor runs a first aid room. Glitches occur (rain
seems to have affected the announcement electronics at some stage) but runners
can, and do, take inspiration from the extent to which people work on making
the event enjoyable.
Two further examples
include the family group pounding out rhythms on the Taiko drums during the
pre-start festivities and the commitment of the “guest” runners (a pair of
elite female national runners - one who ran the out-and-back 10km event while
verbally encouraging every athlete going past and personally thanking every
roadside spectator for their support, and the other who waited in the rain at
the finish line to congratulate every runner as they struggled home up to two
hours after the leaders had come in).
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| Akiyama san & Family Taiko Drumming Group |
The negatives?... There is one observation that can’ go
without comment: of the dozen or so local government officials and sponsor
representatives presented to runners and spectators during opening ceremonies,
none was female. Each time I visit Japan I look forward to seeing greater gender
equality and each time I find something that shows this issue has further to
improve.
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| Dave Hunt with his certificate |
As for the runners, we felt supported, encouraged and celebrated.
We felt….. “as one”.
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| Dave pictured with Mayor Kenji Takamura |
My thanks to:
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The People of Susono
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Peter Patterson and the Frankston Susono
Friendship Association for their kind introduction to the Susono community
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Kuniko Tsuji (Seki city) and Naoki Yamaguchi (Susono
Marathon Organizing Committee) for their assistance with entry into the event
l
Yoko Miyase (Susono Overseas Friendship
Association) for her exquisite communication
l
Aiko Nakayama (SOFA Exchange Promotion
Committee) for her friendship and delicious obento
l
Mayor Kenji Takamura for graciously agreeing to
meet and wearing his snappy kangaroo neck tie
