Sendai International Half Marathon Sendai International Half Marathon Sendai International Half Marathon
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Date Date Date May 8, 2016 May 8, 2016 May 8, 2016 Location Location Location Miyagi Miyagi Miyagi Web Site Web Site Web Site http://www.sendaihalf.com/ http://www.sendaihalf.com/ http://www.sendaihalf.com/ The Sendai International Half Marathon was one of Japan’s original top-level spring half marathons, a race where world record holders and Olympic marathon gold medalists came to run fast. The elite are still a big part of the event, but over time its focus has shifted to the mass-participation amateur runner both in Japan and in Sendai’s sister cities around the world. Cancelled in 2011 after the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami that hit the Sendai area hard, the Sendai International Half Marathon returned in 2012 with a renewed and added focus on charity running. Combined with beautiful springtime weather and a welcoming atmosphere in the city Sendai now stands as one of Japan’s most popular spring half marathons with over 10,000 finishers in its 25th anniversary running in 2015.
The Sendai International Half Marathon starts outside the Sendai Municipal Track and Field Grounds, its rolling course traversing the main city streets where local fans come out to line the roads and cheer in support. Along the way you’ll run right through one of the city’s most famous spots, the keyaki tree-lined Jozenji Street, home to September’s world-famous jazz festival and named to the official list of Japan’s 100 Best Roads. When your race is almost up you’ll return to the Municipal Grounds for a finish on the track, a rare treat if you’ve never had a track finish before!
For the faster runners there is a qualified division that starts up front, but the generous 8,500 runner-deep general division means there is room for everyone. 100 more places in the half marathon are reserved for charity fundraiser runners, deepening the event’s connection with the local community. Its ties with its sister cities are likewise deepened through its sister city invitation program that makes the Sendai International Half Marathon one of the most truly international races in Japan. The race is open to wheelchair athletes, and there are also 5 km and 2 km divisions that let everyone enjoy the day. Post-race enjoy the prized local delicacy gyutan, beef tongue, or any of the other specialties for which Sendai is famous.
Sendai is easily accessible from Tokyo and points further south by both plane and rail, less than two hours from central Tokyo by shinkansen bullet train. With the race venue just a short hop from Sendai Station access could not be easier whether you are making a day trip or spending the end of your Golden Week holidays enjoying everything that Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region has to offer. Don’t miss the chance to make the world-class Sendai International Half Marathon a part of your plans.
