【First 5km】This kind of weekend is fun too! A report on participating in a marathon running through winter in Tanzawa

I challenged myself to my first 5km marathon. This is a firsthand report on everything from registration to the day of the event, as well as my family’s support. It’s an experiential report on participating in a marathon set against the backdrop of winter in Tanzawa, a weekend that was different from my usual runs.

My first 5km marathon to test my strength

In December, I participated for the first time in the "Hadano Tanzawa Minamikawa Marathon" held in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Normally, I just run lightly before work and I'm not a serious runner. Even so, I chose this event because I wanted to test my abilities a little more.

I entered the 5km category. The eligibility requirement of "students in junior high school and above who can finish within 45 minutes" felt like a good balance between stretching my limits and reality, making me think, "I want to challenge myself with this."

I completed my entry on the internet (RUNNET) two months ago, and when the athlete bib and runner's chip arrived a week before the event, I finally started to switch my mindset towards the marathon.

On the morning of the event... clear air and quiet tension

The distribution of participant gifts was from 6:45 to 8:15. I arrived at the venue around 7:30. The morning in Tanzawa was sharply cold, and its tranquility made me feel that "today's challenge will be a good day."

Around the reception area, sizes from S to XL are prominently displayed, so I head straight to my size's (XL) corner.

There, when I present my bib, a staff member hands me the大会オリジナルTシャツ, a waist pouch, and a paper bag with participation gifts. The flow is so efficient that even as a first-time participant, there's no confusion, and the excitement of "it's about to begin" naturally rises.

Inside the paper bag with participation gifts, there were a set of snacks, cleaning supplies, and water. However, when participating in a competition for the first time, one of my concerns is handling my belongings.

At the "Metax Sports Gym Hadano" venue, there is a designated baggage storage area, allowing runners to head to the start area hands-free.

This time, I didn’t check any bags since my family was there to cheer me on, but for those participating alone, a comfortable environment has been established to concentrate on running. Additionally, although there's a pre-registration system on a first-come, first-served basis, there is also a nursery available for use on the day of the event. I felt that having such support significantly lowers the psychological barrier for families, making the challenge of a holiday much more manageable.

The unique excitement before the start.

The start time for the 5km is 9:20. As I head towards the start area, the excitement of runners warming up fills the air, creating a clearly different atmosphere from my usual running. There is also a designated space on the sidewalk, allowing for a slight movement after the start to receive encouragement once more… it was such a flow. In my first competition, it may be more enjoyable to embrace this atmosphere than to focus on time.

The 5km is an easily approachable distance and offers a sense of achievement.

The moment the starting gun fired, my body instinctively surged forward, and I felt the switch turn on with a realization of, "Ah! It has begun!" While I usually run silently alone, today the presence of others running in the same direction gently pushed me forward. That feeling was surprisingly pleasant and completely different from my usual runs.

The distance of 5km feels short, but in the final stages, my legs became a bit heavy, and I found myself wondering how much longer… several times. However, I didn't mind that fatigue; rather, the sensation of steadily moving forward while maintaining my pace was enjoyable.

Just having the goal of wanting to finish in under 45 minutes made me naturally extend my stride slightly and push myself a little more. Despite not pushing too hard, I was still able to challenge myself. That balance was very good, and it was a new discovery to realize that, "This is the joy of a 5km."

The small reward after crossing the finish line deepens the lingering sensation of the challenge

The moment I crossed the finish line, the feeling of having run it all grew gradually. It's not something that explodes with special emotions, but there was a sense of lightness somewhere in my body.

After the finish, not only were there water and sports drinks, but also Country Ma'am cookies were distributed. The sweetness seeps pleasantly into my tired body.

Moreover, the tonjiru provided in another area was at the perfect temperature, soothing my chilled body. Although there weren't any flashy displays, I feel it was a nice conclusion after finishing the run.

I’m glad I decided to enter.

When I challenged myself to my first marathon, it brought me an extraordinary experience that included not just the act of running but also the preparation before setting off and the sense of achievement after finishing, something I don’t usually experience on weekends.

・The excitement of signing up on RUNNET
・The exhilaration of gazing at the delivered bibs
・The crisp air of winter in Tanzawa
・The tension at the starting line
・And the sense of achievement at the finish line

The 5km distance was manageable, allowing me to enjoy a refreshing change of scenery and air, different from my usual runs. Since I typically run lightly, I was glad I had the courage to register. It was a day that made me feel that way.

Hadano Tanzawa Minagawa Marathon
Venue / Hadano City Cultural Park and city roads

Written by SYURI

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