Voice

All the 1st grade students at Kurigaoka Elementary School painted art flags to cheer on the runners.
Using their hands and feet they turned their feelings of support into 8 banners.
Look for them at the start area and the goal area.

Obuse’s kids’ cheer group drew pictures to cheer on the runners.
Look forward to a wide variety of pictures!

Click the images to view them in a larger window.


	All the 1st grade students at Kurigaoka Elementary School painted art flags to cheer on the runners. Using their hands and feet they turned their feelings of support into 12 banners. Look for them at the starting area receptionist and the goal area.

really felt that this was a wonderful enjoyable race as I ran through the fields and riverbanks full of greenery and past the mini performances. The water and aid stations were like an oasis for the heart and body in the middle of the heat. Also I was impressed by all the fresh fruit after the race! And with the foot massage and such afterwards, I was really refreshed. (Kanagawa prefecture, 50s male)

feel really indebted to the Obuse Marathon on July 17th. Thanks to the event staff and volunteers, I was able to enjoy running and learning new things about Obuse. Please keep going!! Thank you very much. (Kanagawa prefecture, 50s male)

esterday was my first time participating, but I would like to say that the participants were treated considerately, and I was left with many pleasant feelings. It was very hot out, but the fountain after the race as well as all the fruit made my exhaustion vanish. (Nagano prefecture, 30s female)

left feeling very impressed with Obuse and its overflowing warm hospitality. My thanks go out to all the staff members who helped out under the blazing sun. The cheering and performances along the course helped encourage me. (Maybe next year I’ll perform?) Usually, people only focus on those who run the entire race, but I felt that this was one of the few marathons that focused the same emotion on both on people that ran and people that walked. (Iida city, 40s male)

e were really blessed by good weather. Though because of certain circumstances I wasn’t able to run, I think it was a great experience for my friends to be able to safely run the entire race. I’m not ashamed to have been unable to run this time, but I definitely want to participate next year.

he banana I got along the way helped restore energy, the diligently-grown fresh peaches moistened my throat, and I got hot dogs and homegrown cucumbers and was able to give the race my best. (Toyama prefecture, 40s female)

t first I thought “Can I even walk 21km?” However, thanks to the warm encouragement at every corner, I was able to keep going. I am left with a lot of good memories. Thank you very much. I would like to learn from your hospitality and emulate it at my work. (Toyama prefecture, 40s female)

ever mind about time; it was just a good chance for me to test my mettle. Like watching a serial drama, I participated in the first and second marathons, and want to take part in the third one as well. I’m looking forward to it. (Chiba prefecture, 30s male)

t first I thought it was going to be a “laid-back race,” but the course’s awesomeness was so surprising! The first half had Karita Mountain? Wasn’t just climbing that area hard enough? Trails? (I didn’t have enough time at all to see Obuse). However, after that when I went down to the riverbank my feelings changed and I enjoyed myself. (Saitama prefecture, 50s male)

had a towel draped over my shoulders after finishing. I was really impressed, and it felt like a big international race that you might see on TV. That there would be this kind of event in my beloved Obuse which loves Hokusai, makes me like the place even more. (Saitama prefecture, 50s male)

have been participating in marathons for 13 years now, but this marathon was more wonderful than all the others. I’m grateful to all the people involved in organizing the marathon, and the people of the town. Thank you very much. (Suzaka city, 40s male)

his was a wonderful event that still lingers in my heart thanks to the efforts of the town. Since it was so hot out, the fruit after the finish, especially the watermelon, was so good I thought I was going to faint. Thank you very much. (Shimosuwa town, 40s female)

inding roads. Being encouraged by the smiles of grandpas, grandmas, and their grandchildren… No marathon is as original or off road as this one! (Nagano city, 60s)

have’ve been in a lot of marathons, but this one was the best for being able to have fun and run without worrying about my record. (Niigata prefecture, 50s)

he freshness of the home-grown peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants quickly restored my energy, sometimes I walked….and when I heard the drums and stringed instruments echoing near and far without thinking my body started to swing. (Niigata prefecture, 60s)

ith the ever-changing course and the roads that passed by the open gardens 8 times, it really was a marathon for seeing Obuse. I think this is the only recent event in which runners and residents can work together so wonderfully. Thank you. (Tokyo city, 60s)

was told you could complete the race by walking, and invited, and so without thinking I participated. Because of all the cheering along the way I wasn’t even able to retire, and before I knew it I’d made it all the way. Everyone joked about me doing this on a whim, but I was really satisfied. (Suzaka city, 60s)