Today's Three: Go short, go long

With the first week of January behind us, it's starting to feel like we're breaking out of the holiday phase and...having to do real work. Ugh.

Brighten up your first full week of the year with a look at some races - ranging from 1.4k to 84k, there's something for everyone, all over Japan. Here's what's on tap today: 

• Boost Running Festa (Tokyo)
• Sponichi Yamanakako Road Race (Yamanashi)
• Mukatsuku Double Marathon (Yamaguchi) 

​Boost Running Festa in Kokuritsu Kyogijo (Tokyo)

• Mar 26 - register by Mar 5​
• A fun individual and team relay event at the Kokuritsu Kyogiji (National Stadium) in the heart of Tokyo. Individual distances range from 1.4k to 9.8k; relay distances are half marathon or full marathon. 
• Course takes place around the National Stadium and on the track inside the stadium - one lap is 1.4km or just under a mile. It's a rare opportunity to run inside a Tokyo 2020 Olympics venue.
• Individual categories start from 1800; relay categories start from 1000 (half marathon) and 1300 (full marathon).
• Spectators must pay ¥500 per person; on-the-spot registration available.

credit: Japan Sport Council

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Sponichi Yamanakako Road Race (Yamanashi)

• May 28 - register by Feb 28​ 
• Now in its 43rd edition, this event returns to its norm in 2023 after a two-year pandemic break (2020, 2021) and a compact version in 2022 (no half marathon). Choose between one 13.6km lap around Lake Yamanaka or a standard half marathon distance. 
• Lake Yamanaka is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and spectacular views of Mt. Fuji are guaranteed (as long as the weather cooperates)

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Mukatsuku Double Marathon (Yamaguchi)

• Jun 11 - register by Feb 28
• ​​An off-the-beaten-path one-day road race in Yamaguchi sponsored by Japan Airlines.
  
• Choose between a full marathon or the Double Marathon option for 84k (which is NOT two laps of the full marathon course).
• Did you know? "Mukatsuku" is an informal word in Japanese meaning "frustrating" or "irritating" - often with a healthy dose of anger and/or disgust. Originating from "Mukatsu-kuni" or roughly "the bay that faces Korea and China", it's a slightly unfortunate but memorable geographic name for this peninsular region in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Mukatsuku Double Marathon Course Map