Hiroshima Women Runners

International Fun Run Relays in Chuo-koen, Feb 28

2010-02-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

International Fun Run Relays in Chuo-koen, Feb 28

This should be a great day for family fun, please sign your whole family and some of your friends up to walk, stroll, jog or run around Hiroshima's central park to enjoy exercising together, having fun with each other, making new friends and supporting a great new educational venture in Hiroshima- Hiroshima-jin Daigaku Project.

If you don't have enough people for a 6 person team, contact us/gethiroshima and we will build a team for you.

We are all looking forward to cheering each other on until everyone has finished their laps, every team gets a prize and there will be a potluck party when everyone has finished (if it rains, we will meet up at Molly Malone's after the event).

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Miyajima Cross Country

2006-11-27T17:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday saw a record 26 'international runners' take part in the annual Miyajima Cross Country Race, 9 of which were women. I think this is a record. It also saw one of our women runners Joy spectating this year with the newly born Nia, a future women runner maybe!

I'm not sure which of us got on the podium (I failed this year-13th!). I think I saw 2 'internationals' walking around with prizes.

I was delighted so many internationals turned up and hope to see an increase in other races.

If you are interested in running there is a regular group, The Harriers, co-ordinated by Brian McDougall. They meet on a Wednesday night, 7.45 in front of the Grand Tower. They also meet on Sunday mornings 7.05 by the A-Bomb Dome.

The next Sunday run is scheduled for Sunday Decemeber 3rd at 7am. They will run @25K and will run at @9 - 10 K per hour pace (6:30 - 6:40 minutes per kilometer).

They will set it up for multiple distances - from 8K to 25K so everyone should find a distance that works for them.

There are also other pockets of runners who run at other days of the week. Please contact me if you have your own small group and maybe we can put you in contact with other people.

Up and Coming Events 3

2006-10-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Sazan Seto Oshima Road Race
Place: Suou Oshima Town, Oshima Island, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Date/Time: February 4th/9.00
Access: Get off at the Kuka Intersection (Sanyo), follow Rte 437 (1 hour from intersection).
Events: HM/10k/5k/2k family run
Price: AD \3,000/HS\2,500/JH&ES\1,500
Application cut off date: Wednesday December 20th
Contact: 082-078-2512
Apply on-line http://www.runnet.jp/

Contact Hiroshima Women Runners for application forms/transport to event.

Waki Town Cross Country Race
Place: Waki Town, Nr. Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Date/Time: January 8th/10.00
Access: 9km from Otake Intersection (Sanyo)/5km from Otake St.
Events:10k/5k/3k/2.2k
Price: AD/SH \3,000 JH/ES \800
Application cut off date: Thursday November 30th
Contact: 082-752-2811

Kuka Zutsumi Road Race
Place: Kuka Town, Nr. Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Date/Time: January 14th/9.20
Access: 3 mins from Kuka Intersection (Sanyo)/5 mins by car from Kuka St.
Events:10k/5k/2.5k/1.5k
Price: AD/SH \1,500 JH/ES/FAM \500
Application cut off date: Wednesday December 27th
Contact: 082-782-5445

Contact Hiroshima Women Runners for application forms/transport to event.

Next training run

2006-10-10T05:19:00.000-07:00

The next run is scheduled for Sunday October 15th. The distance will be @20K and will be run at @8-9K per hour pace. Note - runners do not need to run the entire distance. There are lots of turnaround points to shorten the run. So even if you have no interest in running the longer distance - this is a great LSD (Long, Slow, Distance) run to increase your base endurance regardless of your current long-run distance!!

Start time will be 7:05am. Start location is the A-Bomb dome. === As per the Wednesday runs - we go rain or shine!! ===
Miyajima training run will be rescheduled if there is interest (otherwise I will just go and run it alone!) -- Just kidding...if people want, we can do Miyajima this Sunday in place of the long run - just let me know.

This Wednesday's Run:
Only 4 more Wednesday runs to the Peace Marathon!!

Please let me know if you are running this Wednesday.

Who: All are welcome
Where: From outside of Urban View - Grand Tower (street car side)
When: Start time is 7:45 pm
Distance: 8 - 10km depending on how we feel
Speed: We run our 10k between 55 - 62 minutes (in other words we are slow - even if we feel like we are going fast!!!)

Training Group

2006-10-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

There is a group of people (male and female) who get together regularly in Hiroshima. Here is some information about up and coming runs.

Weekend Long-Runs:

1)The next run is scheduled for SundayOctober8th. The distance will be 20K and will be run at 8-9K per hour pace. Note - runners do not need to run the entire distance. There are lots of turnaround points to shorten the run. So even if you have no interest in running the longer distance - this is a great LSD (Long, Slow, Distance) run to increase your base endurance regardless of your current long-run distance!! Start time will be 7:05am. Start location is the A-Bomb dome. === As per the Wednesday runs - we go rain or shine!! ===

2) I am organizing a training run (6-14K range) on Miyajima for anyone interested. Date will be Sunday the 15th of October . Please email me if you are interested. We will organize rides to get us to the ferry. There are lockers available on the Island for storing extra clothes, food and valuables. This run will give us all a preview of some of the hills on the race route.

How About Some More Runners? Please, if you know someone who is a runner, someone just starting or someone just thinking about it...please pass this on to them and let me know. Or pass me their email and I will send them an invitation. This is meant as much for the social aspect / running support as the running itself. Even if people can't go as far or as fast they should consider joining in and keeping our small group going.

How About Some Walkers? I am also curious if there are any walkers who would like to form a group and go at the same time. Again - let me know. This could be weekends or Wednesdays. This Wednesday's Run: Only 5 more Wednesday runs to the Peace Marathon!! Please let me know if you are running this Wednesday. Who: All are welcome Where: From outside of Urban View - Grand Tower (street car side) When: Start time is 7:45 pm Distance: 8 - 10km depending on how we feel Speed: We run our 10k between 55 - 62 minutes (in other words we are slow - even if we feel like we are going fast!!!)

Please contact me if you are interested or just turn up. I hope we can get together more runners in Hiroshima.

Up and Coming Events 2

2006-07-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

Rakanzan Cross Country
Place: Rankanzan Ski area, Iwakuni City.
Date/Time: September 3rd/9.30
Access: 50 mins from the Yoshiwa Intersection
Events: 10k/5k/2k/1k family run
Price: AD \3,000/HS\2,000/FAM\1,000
Application cut off date: Friday August 3rd
Contact: 082-72-2215

Momijishinrinkoen Family Marathon
Place: Momijishinrinkoen, Hatsukaichi City
Date/Time: October 8th/10.00
Access: 10 mins from the Yoshiwa Intersection
Events: 20k/10k/5k/2k/1k family run
Price: AD \3,000/HS\1,500/2k&1k\1000/FAM\3,500(pair),
Application cut off date: Friday September 15th
Contact: 082-77-2014
http://www.moinoki.or.jp/
Hiroshima Women Runners (app form only)

Hiroshima Mikan Marathon
Place: Etajima Island, Hiroshima
Date/Time: October 22nd/9.30
Access: Ferry from Ujina
Events: Half/10k/5k/3k
Price: AD \2,000/HS\1,500/FAM\1,000
Application cut off date: Friday August 11th (18th if you apply online)
Contact: 0823-57-4333
Apply on line at http://www.runnet.jp/
Hiroshima Women Runners (app form only)

Hiroshima Peace Marathon
November 3rd- see http://www.gethiroshima.com/ for details.

Hakuryukofureai Green Marathon
Place: Hakuryuko Take Sports Park, Mihara City
Date/Time: November 12th/9.15
Access: Free bus from Kouchi train station. 15mins from Hongou Intersection
Events: 20k/10k/5k/3k/1k
Price: AD \2,500/HS\1,200
Application cut off date: Friday September 15th
Contact: 0848-64-7219
Apply on line at http://www.runnet.jp/
Hiroshima Women Runners (app form only)
*Transport possible

Miyajima Cross Country
Place: Miyajima Island
Date/Time: November 26th/9.20
Access: Ferry from Miyajima Iriguchi
Events: 10k/5k
Price: 2,500 (inc free onsen)
Application cut off date: Monday November 6th
Contact: 082 -231-4775
Apply on line at http://www.runnet.jp/
Hiroshima Women Runners (app form only)

City Running

2006-06-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

hi, i am just visiting hiroshima for two months and was wondering where one can run around here. i normally run about 40 miles a week, but have yet to find a path in which i am not about to be run over by cars or bicycles. help! (i am in shinonome minami-ku) THANKS!-michelle

Hi Michelle

Thanks for comment, sorry I've just got back from England, hence the delay. Sorry to say that from where you live, pretty much everywhere you go you're going to get traffic lights. Its very annoying, I know, one of the reasons I moved out of the city.
The only thing I can suggest is either you head for a river where there will be less lights, or head for Hijiyama Park (near SATY supermarket). Its not huge, but its traffic light free.
Another suggestion is if you go to Get Hiroshima/Places/Health and Fitness and click on the last page you will notice information about a traffic free running route. You can actually now run along the river, traffic light free, from the Peace Park, past Ushita and then towards the golf course. If you don't mind hitting a bit of traffic, if you follow that river, stay on the right hand side of the river, if you keep going you end up following the river into the coutryside.

Finally, I'm almost certain I'm heading into the mountains this Sunday afternoon to run about 10km, if you would like to join me I can meet you at Diamond City. In any case, good luck!

Cross Training Swim at Big Wave

2006-05-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

If anyone is interested in joining in for a morning swim at the Big Wave 50 meter pool (opens June 1st) I will be there from 10am every wednesday and 9am every thursday mornings and perhaps 9am every monday mornings too if I can swing it, and would love training partners if you are free then.
See the review of the big wave pool here on GH.com:
http://www.gethiroshima.com/Places/HealthFitness

The pool is open 9:00-21:00 and is closed every tuesday, there are often swim meets on the weekends, so you are better off going during the week. It is never very crowded and is a fantastic pool. The big wave is also right next to a great little running/cycling/walking route (anything from 3k-20k possible without having to wait at a single light) if you want to organise a brick workout (run and swim or bike and swim).

Interview with Sam Richards on GH.com

2006-05-09T04:58:00.000-07:00

If anyone is interested in learning more about this club's wonderful founder, just wanted to let you know that a great little interview is now online about Sam, have a look when you have a chance!

http://www.gethiroshima.com/en/People/SamRichards

Junior Triathlon

2006-05-07T05:09:00.000-07:00

Today I helped out at a training day for Junior Triathlon. This was held at Sun Fuchu Swimming Pool in Fuchu Town (near Diamond City), and was run by the Hiroshima Triathlon Association. The purpose of the event was to promote triathlon amongst Elementary School children. The event was free and all particpants got a free t-shirt. 52 children attended.

The course was run by a proffesional triathlete, Matsuyama Ayato, who has a triathlon school in Tokyo. The top male triathlete and top female Duathlete in Hiroshima also attended.

Because of the rain they had to abandon the cycling part, but the children were taught how to swim in a triathlon, some of the difficulties they will come across and tactics for over coming them. In the running part the children were taught about running styles and how you should run in a triathlon.

Although I was helping, with my Japanese I was perhaps as much a child as the participants, but I found it very enjoyable, the kids got a lot from it and I hope some of them go on to take part in at least one of the 3 sports in the future.

http://www.jtu.or.jp/

Up and Coming Events

2006-05-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

I'm having a couple months off racing, but up and coming events:

May 21st -Hibayama 18km.
For those of you who like a challenge, this one is a tough race up, up, up and (just a bit) down a mountain. At times there are ropes to help you get up. Watch people drop like flies as you hurtle down the mountain unless you are Marc who seems to be able to descend down the mountain like a mountain goat at this race! Why not have a go next year!

June 4th -Banana Cup Duathlon.
This very enjoyable event run by the Hiroshima Triathlon Association. Its held in Hiroshima Kenritsu Choushinrinkoen (the park next to Hiroshima Airport). Its a 3k run-24.6k bike-3k run. There are also shorter distances for kids. You can hire bikes at the park. Bananas and Vaam are in abundance and the prizes are pretty good.
http://www.h-ta.com

July 9th-Kurahashi Aquathon
This is a 1k swim-8k run. You can enter as an individual and do both yourself or enter as a team and do one discipline each. I believe two years ago the individual womens event was won by our own Joy Walsh. They also have camping and BBQ the night before, so why not make it a weekend?
http://www.urban.ne.jp/home/moriiin

Recent Races

2006-05-07T04:25:00.000-07:00

Just an update on some recent races. In April one of our members Sam Richards (me) took part in the Miyoshi 10.5k. It was a beautiful one lap, flat course around the river during Cherry Blossom season and the goody bag was one of the best yet. The event was well organised and started and finished promptly. Its a perfect place to do a race and have hanami afterwards.

Mens Mention

Joe Spackman (AKA Spaceman Joe) ran a very respectable time on only his 3rd race.

2 weeks later I also participated in the Kure Ondohashi race. This was my 3rd year. I have some kind of love for this hard 7.5k climb up a mountain and 7.5k back down. I think it is because this was the first marathon I went to with a group of friends, thus it remains special.
This year for the first time I went alone and more than one person asked where the others were! But the crazy elderly lady with her pom poms and I'm not sure what they're called, but the things you shake that have rice or something inside was at the top waiting to cheer us on as usual, so all was well. I didn't do bad and was delighted to see two international names in the program featuring in the top 7 ever fastest times for the race.

カレンダー

2006-04-10T02:13:00.000-07:00

空城公園 (木曜日)

２００６
４月６日, １３日, ２０日
５月１１日, １８日
６月１日, ２２日,
７月６日, １３日, ２０日
８月３日, １０日
９月７日, １４日, ２１日
１０月５日, １２日, １９日
１１月２日, ９日, １６日
１２月７日,　１４日, ２１日
２００７
１月１１日, １８日
２月１日, ８日, １５日,
３月　１日, ８日, １５日

Schedule

2006-04-10T02:11:00.000-07:00

Sorajokoen

2006
April 6th, 13th, 20th
May 11th, 18th
June 1st, 22nd,
July 6th, 13th, 20th
August 3rd, 10th
September 7th, 14th, 21st
October 5th, 12th, 19th
November 2nd, 9th, 16th
December 7th, 14th, 21st
2007
January 11th, 18th
February 1st, 8th, 15th,
March 1st, 8th, 15th

Up and Running

2006-04-10T02:06:00.000-07:00

This month Hiroshima Women Runners finally gets up and running. There are two meeting places, Choukoen in the city centre on Mondays and Sorajokoen in Fuchu Cho on Thursdays. (Please contact the club if you need directions)

The Monday session is held twice a month. We will be meeting at 6.30 by the fountain. This month we will be meeting on the 17th and 24th. You can check dates for other months on the schedule.
The Thursday session is held three times a month, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursdays. We will be meeting at 7.45 by the club house.

The objective of the club is to give women the opportunity to run in a relaxed, supportive environment with like-minded women. We have training schedules for both beginners and for those who are interested in competing. For those interested in competing we also have a race calendar and would like to establish a car share system so we can get each other to races.

If there is anyone living in another part of the city or anyone who runs at a different time and would like to run with some other women in that area, please contact us and we can post information on this blog.

Finally, for those of you wondering about the men! Although the purpose of the club is to target women, if any male runners would like race information or need transport to races, we welcome you, just contact the club.

今月Ｈｉｒｏｓｈｉｍａ　Ｗｏｍｅｎ　Ｒｕｎｎｅｒｓが始めます。二つ待場があります。月曜日は中央公園です。それに木曜日は府中町の空城公園。(行き方が分からない場合、クラブの方へ問い合わせてください。

月曜日は１ヶ月２回行います。午後６．３０に噴水で集めます。　今月１７日と２４日に集めます。　（他の月日はカレンダーの方へ）。
木曜日は毎月３回行います。　第１、第２、第３　木曜日。　午後７．４５にクラブハウスで集めます。

クラブの目的は仲間で楽しく安心して走るというおことです。それにレベルに合わせてとトレーニングスケジュールがあり興味のある方にマラソンレースの情報もあります。

一緒にがんばれましょう。

Winter running

2006-01-05T19:35:00.000-08:00

No doubt about it, winter running can be wonderful or horrible depending on how you feel and how prepared to get a bit cold you are. Over the christmas season of overindulging, it was one of the things that kept my energy levels up and kept the bloating of too much drink and heavy food weight from completely ballooning out of control. Even on frosty mornings, once I can get out the door, everything usually falls into place.

To be honest, I don't really like the cold, give me a hot, sweaty run any day, but there are benefits for fitness like being able to run further without dehydrating and avoiding the power of the summer sun. There are also a lot of wonderful running events in winter. It was getting out for a run in winter that was the challenge, so for me the big difference came when I started using the right gear. Windproof light gloves, thin warm fleece long sleeve top under a windbreaker running jacket or vest, running tights, headband (just to cover ears) or knit hat for colder days, padded socks and good, newish running shoes with enough grip to get you over the snow, frost or ice. There are some great online resources for this gear including the women's gear specialist, Title 9 sports, they have everything you need or want for winter sport activity. We all know that having some nice gear that keeps you warm and still looks good makes all the difference. When I was a student, I would just head out for a jog in a loose fitting sweatshirt and long sweatpants and any old runners that I had had for years, but never really felt very good while running. Now I have learned my lesson and wear gear that makes me look and feel good about myself, shops like title 9 help us do that because there are so many things that go wrong when a woman wears men's gear, it just doesn't fit right.
If you are small enough to get into Japanese clothes, you will be able to find the right gear at some local shops like : Yanbo's running shop, despite being a small shop, they offer a lot of good quality clothes and shoes and will order large sizes of shoes for you if they are out of stock. Yanbo also hosts a couple of friendly runs every year (one is this sunday the 8th starting from in front of the Home Telebi building (Ushita/Hakushima- opposite Yasuda elementary/jhs, next to the astram line -Hakushima stop is closest) from 10am if you are interested in joining in for a 10km or 20 km run with a friendly group of runners.

Anyone know of any other winter running tips or resources? Please let us know.

Kaki Marathon

2005-12-04T21:30:00.000-08:00

The Kaki Marathon, Okimi Town (a ferry ride from Hiroshima Port) is on March 5th 2006.

If you like oysters, this is definitely the race to run, with an endless supply of oysters afterwards. If, like me you don't, its still worth going. Being easily accessible, a relatively low participation fee and distances of 3km, 5km and 10km, its well worth having a go.

The cut off date is the end of this month. Contact me if you would like an applicatin form.

Kure to Kaita Half Marathon

2005-12-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I particpated in a small, low key, yet enjoyable 22km run. It was from Kure to Kaita, along Route 31.

There were a small crowd, maybe 25 people. There were only 6 women, but 4 were very fast. At the end of the race there was a prize giving ceremony in a tatami room with a bento and beer for everyone.

I had to leave early, so missed the ceremony, but I didn't think it was bad for ￥2000.

Miyajima

2005-11-30T16:02:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all who competed in the Miyajima Cross Country Race at the weekend. The conditions were perfect for running and the leaves were still out.
I missed it, but Matt and Emily Smith did a speech during the opening ceremony. It was nice as this will be their last run in Hiroshima before they move to Australia. I wish them all the very best.

They haven't published the results yet, but here are some names.

Womens 6k
Laura Falka
Neila Steele

Womens 10km
Joy Walsh
Krisaen Krwan
Emily Smith
Sam Richards (Me)

Laura, Emily and myself were placed 5th, 7th and 3rd respectively, it was good to see a good international presence up on the stage!

Men's Mention
Paul Walsh
Matt Smith
Stuart Rutan
Brain McDougall
Keith Bess
Dan James
Karl Soltice
Andy Vasily

Next Race this weekend, a 22km from Kure to Kaita.

Welcome to Hiroshima Women Runners!

2005-11-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Hiroshima Women Runners! So, who are Hiroshima Women Runners? Well, basically any woman in Hiroshima can become one! As from February next year I am starting a running club for women in Hiroshima. Anyone woman can join. We welcome any level, any nationality.

The purpose of the club is to give all women the opportunity to run with a group of like minded women, regardless of ability, background or nationality. There will be two mid-week runs a month. For the more serious there will be one long run on one Sunday a month.

There are already a small group of us who run regularly. Next weekend we will taking part in the Miyajima Cross Country Race. This is not quite cross country, but does have a few killer hills. The 10k course takes you through Momiji Park and out to the camping ground, so you have some nice views of the autumn colours and the Inland Sea. Runners are rewarded with a free onsen afterwards.

There are several events near Hiroshima, such as the Mikan (orange) Marathon at Nomijima, and the Kaki (oyster) marathon in Okimi Town. Don't be put off by the word 'marathon.' At events there is usually the option of a 5k or 10k or a 10k or 1/2 marathon.

I am in the stages of putting the club together, so please bear with me and watch this space for details!