Goldwin is the main sponsor of the event.Setoda Lemon MarathonThe "Race" is set on the seaside of the Seto Inland Sea. The race is a sports tourism that combines food, scenery, and accommodation, as well as efforts to reduce environmental impact, such as carrying one's own bottle and carbon offsets. The marathon is loved not only by runners but also by locals as a marathon that offers more than just running.
While many marathons, both large and small, are held in Japan and abroad, the Setoda Lemon Marathon differs from the average marathon in many ways, and we will introduce three aspects of its features in preparation for the 3rd marathon to be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
Point 01:This is an opportunity to become aware of environmental considerations.
The most significant feature of the event is that it is run in an environmentally friendly manner. Special support for this event was provided by Goldwyn, Inc. and THE NORTH FACE, a company operated by Goldwyn. Goldwyn's commitment to a sustainable society matched the concept of the Setoda Lemon Marathon, which is to run an event with social impact and low environmental impact. This is the reason why the partnership was realized as in the previous year.
The world's first "My Bottle Marathon," which was launched as the "My Bottle Marathon."Shonan International MarathonAs in the previous race, disposable cups will not be provided at the water stations, and runners will carry their own bottles and cups.
Runners pouring water into their own bottles and cups at a water supply point. The lemon water available is unique to this event.
Other diverse efforts to reduce environmental impact include commemorative T-shirts for participants, advance mailings, and the elimination of paper pamphlets and the consolidation of information online.
To further promote this initiative, the CO2 emissions of the event will be visualized with the cooperation of "Goldwind" this time. The event will also offset 10 tons of CO2 emissions from the participants' transportation.
The credits used for offsetting are "J Blue Credits®," which were converted into credits through Onomichi City's Blue Carbon Offset Promotion Project "Satoumi Creation through Onomichi Sea Cradle (Tidal Flat and Seaweed Bed) Restoration. Blue Credit® refers to a system that quantifies "blue carbon," carbon that accumulates on the seafloor and in the deep sea, and allows companies to purchase credits in the form of support for environmental conservation efforts, with the profits going to fund activities to protect the marine environment.
In this project, profits from credit sales are used for seaweed bed restoration projects, so the offsetting by the "Setoda Lemon Marathon" will not only bring the marathon closer to carbon neutrality, but will also help restore the marine ecosystem. This is the first attempt in Japan to offset locally produced and locally consumed carbon for a marathon event using "J Blue Credits®.
This is not all. In cooperation with BRING, a company that collects and chemically recycles unwanted clothing, collection boxes for clothing will be set up at the event site. Recyclable aluminum cups will be introduced. Participants are also encouraged to use public transportation such as buses and trains and to carpool in order to reduce CO2 emissions as much as possible.
Point 02: Beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and the emotion of travel.
Second, it can be enjoyed with a "travel sensation. Ikuchijima and Takanejima, the setting for this tour, are scenic lands in the center of the "Shimanami Kaido," which is popular among travelers and cyclists.
By driving through this area on your own, you will be able to experience more deeply the beautiful scenery unique to the Seto Inland Sea area, as well as the history, culture, climate, and climate of the region through a stay overnight. The experience gained through this series of processes is truly a "journey" in itself.
This is the Setoda Lemon Marathon.Official SiteThe top page of the Just looking at this visual is enough to stir up a feeling of travel, isn't it?
Point 03: The atmosphere is homey and friendly.
And third, it is an "at-home and friendly" event. Participants are mainly fun runners who enjoy running without worrying about their time or pace, rather than those who run hard to beat their personal best. There is a friendly atmosphere at the venue.
The volunteer staff that supports the operation of the event is mainly made up of local people, and the people cheering along the route clearly show their desire to "enliven their hometown! The people cheering along the route also convey a strong desire to "enliven their hometowns!
The calm atmosphere of the Seto Inland Sea area, and the warm initiatives for a sustainable event promoted with "Goldwind". The Setoda Lemon Marathon has a different appeal from typical large-scale urban marathons. Although the call for entries for this year's event has already closed, we at Finamu will report on the appeal of this event over the next few issues, including gear selection for running the "My Bottle Marathon" in comfort and travel before and after the event, which could become the standard for the future. Please look forward to it!
Text_Issey Enomoto