【004】2007 Lake Toya Marathon (Feb., 2007)

In Feb. 2007 I traveled to Japan's biggest and Northernmost island of Hokkaido for the first time to participate in the Lake Toya marathon, site of the 2008 G-8 summit.

1) The full marathon course was almost exactly one lap around the volcanic crater Lake and included a free ticket to Lake Toya Hotel onsen after the race.
We could go straight from the finish line to the outdoor (rotenburo) bath in the which had lake and mountain views of a mini Fuji san and the finish line. Amazing !
I had a hard time on that windy course so I was happy to be greeted by an onsen. (3:25).

I had never been to Hokkaido before, so I decided the best way to do so was to run in a marathon. Also, I had heard that the 2008 G-8 summit would be held at Lake Toya so I imagined that Hokkaido was a specail place. It was! One lap around that Lake equaled one full marathon so it was just perfect. There was also a mountain towering over the lake, which was a former volcanic crater, that added to the wonder. After the race, I visited Otaru which was great, too! I felt as if I was in another world, not in Japan...but a place of unimaginable nature and beauty, without the crowds.

1) フルマラソンコースは噴火口湖を正確に一周するもので、競技終了後の洞爺湖ホテル温泉フリーチケットが含まれました。私達は最終ラインから露天風呂に直行しました！そこからはミニ富士山と最終ラインを見ることができました。すばらしいです！