2016 OKINAWA MARATHON 2016 沖繩馬拉松貫 2016 冲绳马拉松贯
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Date Date Date February 21, 2016 2016年2月21日 2016年2月21日 Location Location Location Okinawa 沖繩 冲绳 Web Site Web Site Web Site http://www.okinawa-marathon.com/ http://www.okinawa-marathon.com/ http://www.okinawa-marathon.com/ Athletic event Athletic event Athletic event 10 km, full marathon 10 km, full marathon 10 km, full marathon Number of participants Number of participants Number of participants 10 km: 3,008 person marathon: 11,427 person (2015) 10 km: 3,008 person marathon: 11,427 person (2015) 10 km: 3,008 person marathon: 11,427 person (2015) Participation fee etc. Participation fee etc. Participation fee etc. full marathon : 4,500 JPY 16~18, over 65 : 3,500 JPY 10km : 2,700 JPY 16~18 : 1,200 jpy full marathon : 4,500 JPY 16~18, over 65 : 3,500 JPY 10km : 2,700 JPY 16~18 : 1,200 jpy full marathon : 4,500 JPY 16~18, over 65 : 3,500 JPY 10km : 2,700 JPY 16~18 : 1,200 jpy What could be better than a run through a sub-tropical paradise in the off-season, with all the scenery and gorgeous views but cooler temperatures ensuring that your marathon is a good one and not just a sightseeing stroll? Combine that with the chance to pass a World Heritage Site and other unique local icons of native culture and you have the Okinawa Marathon.
Now in its 24th year, the Okinawa Marathon starts and finishes at Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park in the city of Okinawa, mid-island on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa. Situated midway between Japan’s main islands and Taiwan, Okinawa has long had a reputation for being an international meeting place and a culture distinctive from the rest of Japan, best symbolized by the shisa lion-dog statues to be found all around. Easy flights from abroad and from within Japan to Naha International Airport to the south and the warm welcome from locals make the Okinawa Marathon an increasingly popular choice for international visitors from among Japan’s many domestic marathons.
Shortly after the start the course heads through Kaiho Park on the way to a waterfront stretch offering a lovely view of Nakagusuku Bay. The 10 km course turns around at this point, but the marathon course returns inland into the neighboring town of Uruma where just after 10 km it passes the ruins of the 14th-century Katsuren Castle, one of nine castles throughout the Okinawan islands to have received World Heritage Site designation by UNESCO. Not many marathons can offer that kind of cultural experience on the run!
From Katsuren Castle the course begins to climb, with at least six main uphills peaking roughly 110 m above the sea-level start providing plenty of challenge. After a short but rewarding view of Kinwan Bay to the east the course turns west across the island where most of the hills are to be found. Take a rare trip through Kadena Air Base, one of the largest air bases in the Pacific, at 30 km before starting a long, rolling downhill back to the Sports Park finish.
Spanning the full range of Okinawa’s place in history from ancient times to modernity, the Okinawa Marathon promises you an experience you cannot get anywhere else. And when you’ve reached the finish line be sure to enjoy the local hospitality and sample goya, awamori and the other delicious food and drink for which Okinawa is famous. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself coming back for the 25th running in 2017! You’ll always be welcome.
