An oasis for runners. An aid station.
In trail running races, the aid stations located along the course are a source of comfort for runners.
In the 100-kilometer portion of the FTR Chichibu & Okumusashi, there will be a total of nine aid stations where runners can refuel, rest, and replenish their fluids and food.
In addition to a variety of drinks, the aid stations offer a wide variety of food, including rice balls, inari sushi, miso soup, soup, fruit, and sweets. All of these are important sources of energy for runners to keep them going on the trail.
Mr. Okumiya is also present at the aid station. The organizer himself welcomes runners and inspires everyone.
Yamamoto takes a break while refueling at the fifth aid station. This is about the 49-kilometer mark, roughly the halfway point of the entire course. The time is 16:30. More than 10 hours have passed since the start.
After the fourth aid station, there was a series of steep climbs and steep descents. Yamamoto said, "I felt like this course was showing its true colors. Yamamoto said, "I was moving forward, but the distance on my watch was not advancing very fast, and it was hurting me physically and mentally.
Autumn days are a time to be on the lookout. The sun quickly goes down around here.
About an hour after Yamamoto, Shibayama arrived at the fifth aid station at about the 49 km mark. The time was 17:20. It was already dark.
The 100 km portion of this race has a drop bag system, which allows runners to pick up their checked baggage before the start at the fifth aid station. This is a great feature for runners who are tackling a long race. This is a great opportunity for runners who are tackling a long race to change clothes, refuel, and other items in their bags and head into the second half of the race fresh in mind and body.
It's hard. It's really hard. The ups and downs are too tough. As I was running, I was getting angry at Mr. Okumiya for thinking up this course (laughs).
After refueling and changing clothes, Shibayama leaves the fifth aid station. From this point onward, the race will be run at night.
We will continue on the trail in the dark, using headlamps to light the way wherever we go. A headlamp is one of the essential items. It is indispensable for nighttime running.
