To help with efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, the organizers of November's Ibigawa Marathon have begun producing masks from unused bib numbers from past years' races. The masks will be available free of charge through a lottery, and organizers will publish the positive thoughts and words of runners who apply for the lottery via the race's official social media accounts to help inspire others not to give in to the circumstances we all face. Amid a national shortage of masks, the race organizers came up with the idea of using extra bib numbers from past years. The masks come in two designs, one with pleats to adjust its size and the other a three-dimensional type that fits to the face. The bib numbers are hand-cut with scissors using a pre-made pattern, and have elastics attached to go around the ears. One of the people making the masks, Michiyo Naito , 49, said, "We hope that these will bring back happy memories of running the Ibigawa Marathon a...
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