Where there are hard climbs, there are always pleasant descents.
Starting at Hitsujiyama Park, runners alternate between flat roads and uneven trails.
You can slow down and walk on the steep climbs, or you can sprint comfortably on the gentle descents. A trail running race is different from a road marathon, where you run at a steady pace. The race is entirely up to the runner's discretion, including where and how much water and food to store in a backpack, and whether or not to put on a jacket or take it off. These decisions will determine the success or failure of the race.
Yamamoto and Shibayama are moving along nicely in the beginning. They even smile from time to time.
The two run side by side for a time. During a trail running race, runners are basically alone. That is why it is reassuring to have a friend nearby who knows you well.
On the trail, the distance between runners in front of and behind each other can get tight. To some extent, this is unavoidable on single-track trails. However, this will be resolved as the race progresses.
There are always tough climbs and pleasant descents. It is truly a combination of candy and a whip. Life is full of joys and sorrows. This is the true joy of trail running.
Yamamoto walking nimbly. They passed Ne-no-Gongen, a mountain temple known as a famous landmark in the Okumusashi area. This is around the 28-kilometer mark where the third aid station is located.
About 10 minutes after Yamamoto's arrival, Shibayama also went to Kogongen. The temperature was not low, but I started to feel cold. I might have gotten cold from sweating," said Shibayama. He put on the rain jacket he had packed in his backpack as a wind jacket.
It was a coincidence that the color of the jacket & number synchronized with the color of the statue of Niou by the temple gate.
Once on the trail beyond the Naguri River Plaza, where the fourth aid station is located, the trail continues to climb steeply, and the surface of the road changed dramatically.
The road surface with overhanging tree roots is unique to this area. It is slippery and can easily catch runners' feet, making it difficult for runners to go fast both uphill and downhill.
