The goal of the 100-mile event to be organized.
-You host the 100-mile self-challenge event "H3" every year in Hakone, how did you come to organize it?
HDK: In 2021, a number of our team members had entered a race called "UTMF (Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji)", the biggest 100-mile race in Japan, and we had been preparing for the event in April since winter, but it was cancelled at the last minute due to Corona. But everyone was taking time off, so we started to do the 100-mile event ourselves. So at first it was just the team members.
-This June marks the fifth time the event has been held. I know it is a lot of work to run the event.
HDK: It is difficult to organize it as a big race, so it is just an event. But the town is very cooperative, and the Kintaro Tea House, a mountain hut on Mount Kintoki, is open all night, and the Hakonature BASE" lets us use it as our base, and we are making progress step by step with each event.
-It would be a great experience to be involved in the management of a 100-mile event.
HDK: Many of the members are aiming for the 100-mile goal, but I would like to build "H3" together by having them not only run the 100 miles, but also be involved in the management and volunteer work as part of the challenge.
Penn: I participated in H3 as a volunteer, and I found that right before the finish line of the 100-mile race, some people are so exhausted that they can't even respond, and they become blunt and blunt. I was able to understand the feelings of both the 100-miler and the volunteers, and learned a lot.
-I heard that you are also working on trail maintenance such as building stairs on the outer rim of Hakone, the course of the "H3".
HDK: We have been working with "Kintaro Tea House" since last year to maintain it. This is our way of giving back to the environment that allows us to run. In order to give back to the city as well, we have been doing trash pickups in Shibuya and Zushi about once a month.
-Do you have a goal for "H3"?
HDK: From Hakone, we hope to spread the word about trail running etiquette as much as possible. We decided to use the proceeds from the charity flea market held at this year's "H3" to set up signs reminding trail runners of good manners. Beginners sometimes run without knowing the rules, and I wanted hikers and MTB riders to see them and know that trail runners are careful about these things when they run.
