SoCal Runners Traveling to Run

Four runners out of seven runners that I have contacted so far for this project were not in town this weekend. That was all for the same reason. They all flew to Japan to participate in the Tokyo Marathon 2012, the largest marathon in my home country Japan, which was held on Feb. 26. The four participants included one Japanese, one Korean and two Americans all living in Southern California.

There are tons of marathons and running events in California, but why would they go all the way to Japan just to run? 

“When you run in California, unfortunately the view does not change much within the 26.2 miles” said Emily Jo, a 21-year-old college student wearing a “Hong Kong Marathon Finisher” T-shirt. She said she enjoys going abroad to participate in marathons in small countries because the scenery changes and never gets her bored during the race.


In fact, the course of the Tokyo Marathon symbolizes the past, present and the future of Tokyo. During the unforgettable 26.2 mile journey, the runners had the chance to thoroughly enjoy numerous famous sightseeing spots, such as the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower and the world’s largest fish market, and reached their goal at Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center.

Some runner’s purpose is traveling, like Andrea Wood, 28, an office worker who began running five years ago and competed three marathons around the world. “I always wanted to visit Japan and I thought this marathon would be a good opportunity to make it happen. I also ran the Amsterdam Marathon because I wanted to travel to Holland. ” She started running to get fit and add some spice to her travel experiences. 

Zack Dixon, 36, was participating for the “International Friendship Run” and the charity “Tsunagu.”  The Tokyo Marathon this year was held as a major fundraising event for those affected by the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Zack said “I wanted to do something for Japan after the tsunami, and I thought I could contribute by running, which is the one thing I am good at.” “Many people came to cheer,” he said, “and it was awesome running in the middle of the capital.”

Another participant, Chihiro Tamada, 32, a Japanese woman runner’s motivation was different. “I always wanted to run the Tokyo Marathon, but when I was living in Japan, I couldn’t get selected. But now I live in the states and it is much easier to be accepted to participate.” The marathon tends to be 10 times over subscribed.

More than 35,000 runners took part in the Tokyo Marathon 2012, with around 10% of those being international. 

It seems that each runner have their own good reason to travel all the way to run in foreign countries from sunny California.

Surf City, Here We Run!

The 16^th annual Surf City USA Marathon drew 20,000 runners to Huntington Beach. The Surf City USA Marathon, also called the California’s Classic Oceanfront Marathon, is conducted on Super Bowl Sunday which was Feb. 5 this year. The race featured a full marathon, which saw 3,000 participants, and a half marathon, which saw 17,000.

All races started on Pacific Coast Highway at Huntington Street in front of the Waterfront Beach Resort. Huntington Beach stretches for miles with wide, uninterrupted golden beachfront as far as the eye can see, perfect for barefoot strolls and California sunsets. Runners wind through the legendary surfing beaches of Southern California. Many retro surf bands entertained along the course and also at the Finish Line Festival (Beer Garden Beach Party) at the end of the race.

All finishers received a unique surfboard medal. This is called the Signature Surfboard Medal Series and many runners travel from all over the world to run for the famous Surfboard Finisher Medallions, which is an "original" surfboard style medal for this particular marathon.

Every element in this marathon is “SoCal (Southern California) style.”

As I was watching the runners pass by, I noticed such a variety of runners. Runners who are dressed in all sorts of costumes such as a tuxedos, rabbit-suit, and cheer-leader uniforms. There were also some participants who were holding the U.S. flag, runners wearing the exact same run-wear as their friends running together, and runners running with their dog, etc. Watching the colorful crowd, you would also recognize that some runner runs for different motivations.

Alongside the course was filled with people who have come to support and cheer the runners, as well as the volunteers. The supporters were families of runners, friends, and people who did not even know any single runner running this marathon. They were all cheering the runners in their own way. The whole event was filled with a sense of unity.

Running right beside the ocean and the dynamic waves, listening to the cheers and music performed, running under the blue sky and bright sun, running with the wind. The runners definitely looked good running through the exclusive oceanfront course. Marathon is surely a tough recreation/sport, yet makes the runners look so good, fresh, and excited. The expressions on the supporter’s faces cheering for the runners were amazing as well.

Pacific Coast Highway never looked so good!

The Surf City USA Marathon is owned and operated by Pacific Shoreline Marathon, LLC. The organization is committed to creating unique experiences to inspire active lifestyles for participants from all over the world, and for years to come. There is another big event associated with the Surf City USA Marathon.

The Beach Cities Challenge is a race series that includes three Southern California marathons – the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, the Orange County Marathon, and the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon. Runners who complete any combination of half or full marathons in all three events consecutively will receive a special Beach Cities Challenge Medal.

Coming next is The OC Marathon on May 6, 2012.