Details: This event has a 20K, 10K, 5K, 3K and 2K run.

 

For those who want another race in Oct besides the half marathon on 24 Sep 06, this is for you! This is a family event!  This is very challenging course for the ½ marathon.  The first half of the course is pretty much constant uphill up to 9.4 turn around mark.  The last hill is pretty steep to the top. It's hard to enjoy the scenery on the way up and it's also challenging trying to keep a constant pace, getting into a rhythm, getting into the zone.  For the 2005 run, the road was a little bit wet due to a light drizzle before the race. But thankfully the second half of the course is a lot faster since most of it is a downhill run.  With breathing easier, you can enjoy the view of surrounding mountains and Niigata below. 

There are a number of rivers and brooks along the way and rice fields are pretty much everywhere.  It's really quite scenic. All the rice had been harvested and numerous residents were burning rice husks as we passed. It's not a big race - maybe 500 ½ marathon runners.

 

Water stops were a bit sparse along the course.  On the way up there were only 2 water stations and another at the 9.4K turn around point.  On the way down there were three more water stations, but it seemed there could have been a couple more.  There were no official toilets along the course, and worse, no port-a-johns at the start/finish line.

 

We were given a bag of rice and a shirt during registration.  At the finish line, we were given some cooked rice with pickled radish, H20 drink, and the coveted finisher certificate. Not bad.....

 

Niigata is distinguished for being one of only five international ports opened in 1868 when Japan resumed contact with other countries after nearly 250 years of self-imposed isolation. Since that time, Niigata has developed into one of Japan's most important modern international ports.

Geographically, the city is distinctive in that it is surrounded by water. The Shinano and Agano rivers run through the heart of Niigata before emptying into the Japan Sea. In addition, until relatively recently, the city was crisscrossed by a series of canals used to transport goods. Although the canals have been filled in to make the construction of modern roadways possible, the willows that lined these canals still remain today and now serve to lend a gentle air to the bustling downtown area.

When Niigata is mentioned, many people often think immediately of the area's delicious rice and sake or the city's beautiful sunsets, but the residents of Niigata take pride, rather, in the spirit of hospitality and community that so distinguishes the city.

Niigata Cosmos Marathon