Results and Reflection : the 63rd Beppu Oita Mainichi Marathon

A few days ago I received my 'diploma' via email from the organizers of Beppu-Oita Marathon. So this is how it is done,  and I think it is rather exotic compared to the typical finishing medals (for a change)

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And I also found my final timing results at the official website. Very professionally done, maybe this is a common practice in Japanese road races where they provided breakdown of timing for every 5km. Every column is timing for each 5km marker and each distance marker were exactly on that spot.

Looking at the timings, I recall my experience on race day. Since this run is in a rather cold atmosphere, I initially targeted a 3:10 finish because  I wanted to have a good experience of the event without too much pressure so I think 3:10 will be fair. But unfortunately, it turn out that I had to stop for 3 times; (once because I really need to pee because it was cold) and the other 2 times because of cramp toes due to the cold, altogether had cost me about 5 minutes. And I will never forget that I got 'scolded' by the one of the old aunties (in the cheering crowd) when I was trying to fix my cramp toes. Maybe she thought I am Japanese and so she was telling me something in Japanese but I read from her high spirited gesture I should not stop at all and I should continue to run, and gambateh and .... alamak! I quickly continue to run after that...it really helped.

Looking at the timing gap of each runners reminds me of what I saw in the Japanese runners. Their spirit of not giving up is what I have never seen anywhere. I saw at least a few whom seems to have serious cramps to the extend that they start to walk funny but yet they struggle to the end.

I noticed my placing is about 1737 which means there are about 2000 runners behind me since I have estimated that there were about 3700 runners.  But when I checked at the bottom of the result, the last runner in the result list is position at 2657. So if the math is correct, almost 1000 runners did not finish.

So how can 1000 runners whom are pre-qualified to be sub 3:30 runners did not finish within the 3:30 cut off? And all of them were such serious runners, plus the marathon world has always insist that we finish no matter what. That is why they have Finisher Medals and DNF is not acceptable, no?

Well, this race changed my perspective about chasing a dream always come with a price.  Maybe in this type of hardcore races, DNF is not such a taboo after all. It could be true that most of these runners DNF because they were running really really hard, I think most of them ran at their full effort, determined to achieve their running ambition that day, be it a record, a PB, a sub 3hour, a sub 2:45 etc. so much so they are willing to risk their finishing. Spirit of fight!

In a race that has short cut off time, the chance of DNF is almost certain if one mistake was made and even a small injury which can be inflicted by racing too hard especially at the beginning.

Here is what the rule book says about the cut off timings.

So in a race that has strict cut off points as above, a short 5 minutes walk will cause you your race and it is not at the finishing line. Perhaps that is why all the runners that are allowed to be in the finishing list must make the km 40 mark before 3:19:59.


This runner displayed a short touching moment of utmost disappointment for not making it to the finishing line before 3:37 or so. We estimated that time, because it was around one minute after the marshals had removed the time keeping devices.

Many charged to the finishing line especially the last minutes. Lesson learned: Good marathoner do not give up even up to the last minute.

Lesson learned: as much as this marathon timing chasing culture remained as our habits as time chasing runners, we must know when to draw the line, and to remember when it is necessary to be strict and when it is to loosen up (and to be humane too) so that we will not let out attitude hurt ourselves or others (mentally). After all, most of us started running as a recreational activity to keep ourselves healthy. Remember, these are just numbers, and we should be wiser than that.

As for the race, it is one of the best marathon I have ever experienced. But if you are looking for something happening like what Tokyo Marathon has to offer such as  hot Miso soup, hot green tea or hot aunties doing dances in kimono, I guarantee you will face serious disappointment. This is a  purely athletic event, and they don't even give out finishing medal.

But I promise you will experience great support from the organizers and volunteers. The public and spectators was just as awesome. Everyone came out of their house to cheers. Even old folks in wheelchairs and toddlers. The cheering of gambateh coming from everywhere! The scenery of the place is beautiful although some parts where not very visible due to the fog. You will run pass the beautiful seaside and inside the town with beautiful traditional Japanese houses.

And the most important feature I will say, is to have the honor of running among the fastest and the very determined.

And what do I think after this?  I will definitely be BACK!

Next time, I will not be number crazy but I promise I will run even harder hopefully FASTER!

A Foggy Race Day : the 63rd Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon Part 2

Race Day on 2 February 2014. Part 1 here.

The starting line is located between the Umitamago Aquarium (similar to Ocean Park Hong Kong) /Takasakiyama Monkey Park, which is an aquarium and mountain park.  The weather forecast rain in the morning and it will be a warm afternoon. By the time we arrived it was cold but the sky was clear blue.

 On the right is the Umitamago Aquarium, and on the left is the Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park. The starting point is under this beautiful triangular bridge.

When we arrived, we found runners all over the place, and the atmosphere is almost like Hopkinton Athlete Village in Boston Marathon, except that there were more women in Boston.

Everyone here looked fast and mean.

Everyone looks like they are on a mission or something. No play play.

Sweeper trucks AKA kereta sapu? or just support vehicles? We were warned that there will be strict cut off times.

Relaxing while waiting for the start time which is at 12:00 noon. Sky was very clear after this morning's shower.

An 1 hour before start time, the weather was beautiful with clear sun shine. So everyone was enjoying their 'picnic' session meantime you can see the fog started to build up from Takasakiyama mountain.

A bit of warm up and the ocean view is completely gone. Visibility is about 100 meters.

Times up!

11.15 am and everybody is ready to deposit their luggage.

With the finishing line located in another place, mobile luggage center were provided.

This is the beginning of the Category 3 runners assembly point. They line everybody up according to the sequence of the bib number before moving everyone to the starting line.

And you should notice that what a very foggy day it was. There are about 2000+ of Category 3 runners, and it starts from bib number 3000.

This is how they mark your line up location. And they systematically move you forward until you reach the actual starting line.

With a bib numbered 4500, I am at placed at a spot almost towards the end. Categories 1 and 2 (with about 1500 runners) are already placed further front.

So all in total I am lined up at about 3000 out of 3700 runners. Yeah! A bit chilly for this Malaysian but he is ready to Rock Beppu and Oita!

Finally found the actual starting point. But the weather got worse and became very foggy and I began to feel a bit chilly. At 12.00 noon sharp, the gun went off and we slowly moved (for about 5 minutes) before we can run at our planned pace.

Arial pictures from previous years gun off, I imagine this is what it looks like in front. But much more foggy this year.

No pushing among the runner though. Everyone is so discipline and polite, despite wanting to achieve their target. Visibility is about 20 meters front. Wish it was sunny like this because the view will be majestic.

We ran for 9km northwest towards Beppu City before making a U turn back to Umitamago and then towards Oita City, where the finish line is.

Here is the running course according to my Nike GPS. You will see that between km 26,27,37 and 42 are very closed to one another, so if you have your family or support crew with you, that will be the best place to be.

Most of the run is along the highway next to the sea. Full road closure (runners side). So if you are a resident of Beppu Oita and you decide to drive that day, you might be told to wait by the traffic policeman for more for about an hour half before they open the road again for you.

This is the typical distance marker used, with a voluteer attending to it. More than 42 of them were seen along the way. Picture was taken by my family. They found their way to where the finishing line is, which is about 10km away from the start line in Oita city.  And the nice part is that they will get to see the runners passing by twice before we make our way into the finishing in a stadium.

 Volunteers setting up their aid stations.

Corporate supporters. In this case Suzuki and and along the way, I saw many others corporations. How I wish Malaysian employers are that supportive.

There is no short of support from families and friends, and strangers (Beppu Oita residents). 

The time keeping/lead car leading the front pack.

The elites approaching, crossing the Oita River.

This year the foreign invited athletes gave a good fight. The yellow bib represent elite runners. Previous year's champion, Yuki Kawauchi is not here this year but his brothers was among the Category 1 runners. Nevertheless this is one place where African does NOT dominate the race.

 Those with a white bib with blue letters (3 digits) are the category 1 athletes.

 Fellow Malaysian top runner Woo Chan Yew running strong. He is in the category 1 group.

Here comes the fun runner. I finally run past my support team..heh heh... minutes later (lots and lots of minutes and very much later), I made my appearance...this is at around km 27 so still looking strong.

Fast forward...of 10km later (opposite the road at km 36) , after a u turn and a loop with 2 toe cramps later...You can also see behind me that many of the runners has started to slow down probably due to the weather that keep changing to hot and cold.

And then the final 400 meters ...entering the stadium. It was a tough day for many. I saw many people struggling near the end and I guess you can see from the expression of this category 2 runner. Probably the ever changing weather has something to do with this.

I finally finished my marathon in one piece. No PB this time, but heck, did I enjoy the course despite my cramp toes. Running sock-less is not so good in cold countries.

Unlike our marathons in Malaysia, they do not give out any finisher medal or finishing T shirt. Only a towel to keep you warm and as a souvenir. They will issue an accomplishment certificate at a later date.

I was happy to see Chan Yew. He accomplished a good 2:30 (top 50) position I think, even though he is still recovering from his knee surgery he had last year. Proud to have a strong fellow Malaysian among the elites today.

 While we were chatting, there were still many whom are trying to finish before the cut off time.

And we noticed that the organizers has started their preparation to close the place down as soon as it reaches 3:30.

Many seems to gave a last minute charge towards the timing mat to record their finish. aaaargh.......

Continue to see it was a tough day for many but wait, marathoners don't give up easily. And the organizers were strict but they were not inhumane. They still gave some allowance for the runners who came back slightly late.

After saying goodbye to Chan Yew, I headed for my luggage, and they were already waiting at a hall when I found my way to it. It was nicely placed on the floor together with others, exactly between 4499 and 4501, so I can easily spot it. I don't even have to queue for it. Japanese precision. I changed and shared the heater to warm up a bit with a few runners. By the time I walked out of the hall, the stadium is almost empty.

My family were waiting for me at the main entrance of the stadium where I found this booth where they provide free embroidery service so that you can have your finishing time permanently embroider into the finishing towel.

And also a few groups of runners gathering for group photo before the head for home. Everybody looked so serious before the race but after the race, its celebration time!

No Run No Life! RIGHT ON!

By the time I remember to queue for my embroidery work, they have already closed the booth! But as soon as they found out that I am a foreigner, they happily took my towel and embroider my timing into my towel. Isn't that fantastic, just because I am Malaysian. The Japanese people are so nice and they are such great host.

The unofficial result embroidered in! Finished another world class marathon! Yeah! Now to Fukuoka for dinner!

Next : Post race, results and reflection.