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Kasumigaura Marathon Disaster Relief Contributions Total Over $750,000

http://mainichi.jp/area/ibaraki/news/20110503ddlk08040115000c.html

translated by Brett Larner

With its 21st running cancelled due to damage from the Mar. 11 earthquake and tsunami disasters, the Kasumigaura Marathon in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, the national blind runners' marathon championships and, with 26,241 entrants, Japan's second-largest marathon, announced that on May 13 it will donate 61,665,313 yen (~$770,000 U.S.) in runners' entry fees to the Japan Red Cross' disaster relief fund.

Although the organizing committee was quick to announce that it would donate entry fees, the exact disposition of the money was subject to discussion by the executive board. Income for this year's race totalled 157,321,954 yen including 119,269,300 yen in entry fees. Non-recoverable expenditures including timing chips and participants' t-shirts totaled 95,656,641 yen. The balance will be donated to disaster relief along with 4,500 volunteers' hats and 20,000 finishers' towels.

The Kasumigaura Marathon was scheduled for Apr. 17, but the start and finish point at Kawaguchi Sports Park and many sections of the course were seriously damaged in the earthquake and tsunami. Tsuchiura mayor Kiyoshi Nakagawa commented, "I hope that next year at least as many will come as were planning to run this year."
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