japan running news

For the third year in a row, Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) won the Kawauchi no Sato Kaeru Half Marathon in Kawauchi, Fukushima, running 1:05:54 in hot and sunny conditions. His mother Mika and younger brothers Yoshiki and Koki also ran, Yoshiki fresh back from running last weekend's PZU Krakow Marathon and Koki newly elected to the local city council in the family's hometown of Kuki, Saitama.

川内選手ゲストランナー(*^^*) pic.twitter.com/YdyXo1nO1d — かずのこ (@flyingkazuchan) April 28, 2018
Over the stage where the brothers appeared before and after the race hung a banner that read, "The town of Kawauchi supports Yuki Kawauchi with all our hearts! Congratulations on winning the Boston Marathon!!" A long line of fans lined up for autographs and selfies with Kawauchi, who wore his Boston winners' medal after the race. He next runs half marathons in Saitama and Hokkaido on back-to-back days this coming Friday and Saturday.

福島県の川内村に川内優輝選手の取材に行ってきました（※川内の郷かえるマラソンに川内三兄弟がゲス…

https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170501/ddl/k07/050/032000c

translated and edited by Brett Larner

川内優輝選手は昨年に続いてゲスト選手。すれ違うとき物凄いスピードだったけどハーフ1時間ちょい…とかスンゴイ。目の前でみても良い人でカッコいいし^^。 pic.twitter.com/dVJhyD0jHp — okarinman あやこ (@okarinman) April 30, 2017
The second running of the Kawauchi no Sato Kaeru Half Marathon took place April 30 in the village of Kawauchi, Fukushima. 1500 runners from across the country traversed the roads through mountains in full spring bloom and enjoyed the villagers' hospitality. The event had its beginnings in a local elementary school student saying, "I want to do something to convey the goodness of our village to the outside world." 1200 people took part in its first running last year.

As a result of the huge response to its success, 300 locals joined the village cheering section this year. The welcome runners receive from every member of the local community is unique to the village of Kawauchi. Along the course local elementary school students performe…

http://www.minyu-net.com/sports/running/FM20160501-070419.php

translated by Brett Larner

川内優輝ロード pic.twitter.com/rEJk7CQPFV — みとっぽ (黒) (@mitoppo_tmyk) April 30, 2016Yuki Kawauchi Road in Kawauchi, Fukushima

Held to inspire former residents to return to the area after the nearby TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident five years ago, the village of Kawauchi held the first "Kawauchi no Sato Kaeru Half Marathon - From Reconstruction to Creation" on April 30.  The course started and finished at the village heliport.  1188 runners from across the country gathered to celebrate the village's revival as they ran through its springtime streets.

The event's organizing committee was made up of local government and board of education members with support from the Fukushima Minyu Newspaper and other sponsors.  The race's purpose was to transmit the vitality and charm of the reconstructing Kawauchi village to the rest of the nation in hopes of helping to reverse th…