【FOCUS IT.] Harry Sugiyama talks about running as a culture.

Harry Sugiyama is active in many fields as a TV personality, a radio personality on J-WAVE, and a serious runner who has run a full marathon sub-three times (within 3 hours). While training stoically on a daily basis, he also shares the joy of running with his friends through TEAM NASTY, a running community he leads. What does he think of the running scene in recent years, which has gone beyond a movement and is now fostering a culture? What does Harry Sugiyama, a man of international background, have to say about running as a culture?

Photo_Satoru Tada
Edit_Amame Yasuda

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I love more than anything the moment when my colleagues achieve their goals.

When was your first experience of running?

Harry:When I was five years old, I used to follow my father to work, walking from home to his office. My father's motto was to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time, but when he couldn't make it, he would jog. I started running to catch up with him, and that was my first run.

What was the moment when you thought running was fun?

Harry:I don't have any (laughs). Even when I was a student on the soccer team, I did not enjoy running, nor did I want to run. At that time, I was in a boarding school, and if I did anything wrong, I was made to run to the next mountain, so it was an object of fear rather than fun.

So how did you come to enjoy running?

Harry:It all started with the Akasaka mini-marathon for "All Star Thanksgiving Festival. I thought I could run because I played soccer, but I was no match for Kenji Moriwaki, and I was frustrated that I could not beat him at all, even after about six or seven years. However, I started to get the impression that I was running hard at the "All-Star Thanksgiving Festival," and my running jobs started to increase.

So you enjoyed running more and more.

Harry:That's right. After meeting Tetsuhiko Kim, a professional running coach who co-hosts "The Runsma Club," I came to believe that running can bless our lives in many ways and is simply fun. Running with my friends at the Corona Disaster is the only thing that nourishes my soul.

Nourishment for the soul? What are some of the other good things about running?

Harry:My network has been expanding rapidly. The members of TEAM NASTY are all different ages and occupations. They are not members of the club, but friends with no monetary exchange. I am happy to see that our friendship is expanding as members invite their friends.

So your private association developed into "TEAM NASTY.

Harry:I just feel like if you're not busy, come to me. And I don't take jobs with teams so that I don't change my mind. The fundamental thing is to enjoy running. On Sunday, October 26, we will all participate in the "Mito Komon Comic Marathon," and I love watching the happiness and a certain sense of superiority that we feel the moment we cross the finish tape. I am looking forward to it because I love to witness the moment of euphoria and a certain sense of superiority when the tape crosses the finish line.

I see that you also like to see people working hard.

Harry:I rather like it. When I was 18, a friend of mine who played soccer with me started a family and was raising a child, and he found himself weighing over 100 kg. I started running for my health, and when I announced that I was going to try a full marathon, everyone around me said it was impossible. But in four months, I lost about 25 kg and completed the "Shonan International Marathon" in less than four hours. I enjoyed watching the process of achieving that goal.

In "TEAM NASTY," you are happy to see your friends doing the same?

Harry:We are all running for a richer life. Everyone faces various things in life, such as a broken heart or a job gone wrong, don't you think? Watching them overcome various struggles on their runs is rewarding and gives them something to live for.

The relationship between running and music.

There are many different types of communities like TEAM NASTY, and many races and events are being held. How do you feel that this kind of movement is fostering a culture?

Harry:I am so happy. I think the perception that running is hard has changed. I often run in Meiji Park, and recently I see more students and newcomers to the workforce running than ever before. I would understand if it was an event sponsored by a sports brand, but they are gathering together spontaneously with their friends. And they are running at a fast pace while talking happily. It sounds like a very healthy drinking party, if you ask me (laughs). A very healthy drinking party without alcohol, which improves the circulation of blood.

Indeed (laughs). So running is becoming an option for playing with friends.

Harry:When I was in my 20s, if I had a tough day, I would go out for a drink and then go bowling to vent it, but now I get invitations to go for a run to refresh my mind and detox. But now I get invitations to go for a run to refresh my mind and detoxify my body. I believe that this has led to an increase in literacy about diet and intestinal environment, which will extend the life span of healthy and happy people. I think this is a positive trend in society.

In 2023, you participated in the London Marathon. Did you feel any differences between Japan and other countries?

Harry:The London Marathon was a festival. The music changed every kilometer. There were Brazilians singing and dancing on the roadside, grandmothers wearing sunglasses playing techno, and even though it was pouring, I enjoyed the adventure of running 42.195km. Even though it was pouring, I enjoyed the adventure of the 42.195 km race.

Harry Sugiyama running the London Marathon.

It's such a lively place! Harry, who is also a music expert, what kind of music do you listen to when you run?

Harry:The key is BPM; if you match the speed of the song to your running pitch, you can run at that speed. there is a drum'n'bass playlist on Spotify called "Run'N'Bass" that I recommend for pace runs.

I see that the music you listen to changes depending on how fast you run. What do you listen to when you jog?

Harry:I like a British band called Two Door Cinema Club, with a fast BPM and a stylish floating sound. If you are looking for floating, Underworld and The Chemical Brothers are good, and if you are looking for aggressive, I would recommend The Prodigy and The Strokes. I love songs that have a sense of speed and make the bass dance.

Do you find that music makes a difference in your running routine?

Harry:I have lived with music my whole life, so it brings back many memories. For example, when I listen to The Prodigy, I used to listen to them after winning a soccer game when I was a student, and I remember the live concert at "Summer Sonic" where it rained, which I saw when the vocalist Keith was still alive. Music makes the run more enjoyable.

Unparalleled attention to clothing and footwear.

I think the fact that running can be enjoyed in combination with other elements may be one of the reasons why running has grown as a culture. What kind of running clothes do you use?

Harry:This summer, I wore a tank top collaborated by "2XU" and "District Vision. It is designed to be worn in harsh environments such as deserts, and the fabric is extremely thin. It is so thin that it feels like I am naked (laughs). I wore it on the "All-Star Thanksgiving Day" and have many fond memories of it. My winning outfit changes depending on the season, but I always end up going back to this tank top. I combined this with compression tights from "Two Times You" and survived the summer heat.

What do you look for when choosing clothing?

Harry:The most ideal is stylish clothes that allow me to run without having to change. The best brand for this is "&MOSS," a brand started by a friend of mine. It is city wear, but it is comfortable and can be used for running. I'm just a fan of the brand, regardless of whether it's a brand my friend makes or not. The branding is high-end, and the visuals are mode-like, but when you actually wear it, you can tell it's really stylish running wear. I even wear it to dinners and parties.

So, everyday clothes and running clothes are seamless?

Harry:That's what happens when you're running.

In the podcast version of "New Balance RUN TO THE WORLD," which is part of J-WAVE's "POP OF THE WORLD," you and comedian Watari 119 talked about the particulars of the clothing you wear.

Harry:I've talked about chafing and other things that are quite maniacal (laughs). (Laughs.) Of course, the feel and breathability are important, but I think it is also important to be able to be yourself in the garment. That's why I love not only "Two Times You" and "andmos," but also "New Balance" and "ELDORESO," and everything in between.

You don't stick to a certain brand.

Harry:I have faith in coordinating the whole body with a single brand, but I also think it is good to combine various brands. However, it is necessary to have attachment and connection to each product. I think it is the same as with fashion, such as watches and rings, or vehicles, such as bicycles and cars. I think of clothing and shoes as partners.

New Balance's FuelCell Rebel v5

I understand that you wear the "FuelCell Rebel v5" shoes by New Balance.

Harry:It would be a long story if I started talking about shoes (laughs). The bouncy resilience, the ease of handling the foot, and the feeling that the foot is moving forward. I like them much better than the previous shoes in the series. I use them for gentle jogs and pace runs. I also like the coloring, which is not often seen.

To keep running for a lifetime.

I see that you brought some other running essentials with you.

Harry:The other tank top is from "TEAM NASTY". You will not wear it with anyone else except the members of the team. NASTY can mean "creepy" or "cool. If you say it in Japanese, it's like yaba-ai. So I asked her to make the design a little grotesque and cool.

From right to left: amino Vital ®︎ Pro, amino Vital ®︎ Perfect Energy ®︎, amino Vital ®︎ Gold, Lipo Capsule Vitamin C+D

Do you take amino VITAL ®︎ before and after running?

Harry:Yes, it is. It suits my body and supports my run. Whether it is a jog or point practice, I always drink "amino vital ®︎ Pro" and "amino vital ®︎ Perfect Energy ®︎" 30 minutes before and "amino vital ®︎ Gold" after the run.

What's the other kind?

Harry:Lipo Capsules Vitamin C+D, which I take after heavy races. It is an efficient way to consume vitamin C and D, which are easily consumed and difficult to absorb. It was recommended by Minami Tanaka, so it is good for beauty and for a tired body after running.

What is that yellow stuff?

Harry:It is a sacral pillow. This thing has changed my life. I think you will be amazed if you use it. I work with my throat, so I go to voice training, and my teacher there taught me how to use it. I take care of my body with one of these. When I lie down, I put it on my sacrum above my tailbone and move my body using my own weight, which improves my posture. It can also be used to release the fascia between the shoulder blades by placing it on the spine. I also use it to prevent straight neck and to relieve eye strain.

In addition to clothing and shoes, you also take good care of your body, don't you?

Harry:That's right. Running is now as much a part of life as eating and sleeping.

What are your future goals as a runner?

Harry:My main goal is to get close to sub-ega (under 2 hours and 50 minutes) in a full marathon and beat my personal best. Also, besides Tetsuhiko Kim, another runner I respect is Mariko Yumikida. She is a high school teacher, and she holds the world record in the women's marathon for those over 60 years old, and she is still aiming for sub-3 at the age of 66. She is very passionate about running and has a very cool attitude of trying to enjoy life once in a lifetime. It makes me think that she will continue running for the rest of her life. As I get older, my muscles will lose strength and my tendons will weaken. But as long as I am alive, I would like to continue running as nourishment for my heart and soul, and enrich my life through running.

Lastly, a new program "Midday Lounge" started on J-WAVE on October 1, and I hear that you have a strong personal attachment to it.

Harry:Each day of the week has a different navigator, and I am in charge of Mondays. It is a dream come true for me to have John Kabira, whom I have always admired, as the Thursday navigator, and to be able to do the same program. 15 years ago, I had my first regular program on J-WAVE at noon on weekdays, so it is very meaningful for me to come back to that time slot. It means a lot to me to be back in that time slot.

That's good to hear! What kind of program do you want to make?

Harry:Radio has a warmth that is not found in other media, and the distance between listener and navigator is exquisitely close. I want to keep that distance in mind for this program. I want to deliver a time full of information and music that will tickle your intellectual curiosity, a time that will resonate with adults and children alike, a time that will enrich your heart as much as your orchids. Please take a listen.