The first challenge! "Spoll! What is the charm of the Oku Shimanto Trail Race felt by the coverage team?

This time, I love marathon "Sport! The Kochi group came to Shimanto Town, where the Hinoji River flows in the headwater of Japan's last clear stream, Shimanto River, about 70 minutes by car west of Kochi City.
We will tell you the charm that you felt for the first time at the Oku Shimanto Trail Race in Matsu Hagawa, which is held taking advantage of the rich forests and nature of Shimanto Town.

Outline of Oku Shimanto Trail Race Competition

The Oku Shimanto Trail Race will be held for the 8th time in this tournament.
There are four events: a long section (36km), a short section (24km), a kids section (2.6km), and a parent-child pair section (2.6km). The short section will be a newly established section this year to make it easier for beginners to participate easily.
I have participated in marathon competitions several times, but I have no experience in trail races. After suffering from worries, I decided to take the challenge of the long section.

What to prepare for a trail race

There is a big difference in preparation between regular marathon races (road races) and participation in trail races.
There is basically no preparation condition for participating in the marathon event. It would be OK if each participant could aim for the goal anyway, such as some people running in sandals, while others running in disguise.

On the other hand, the following essential items are generally provided for participating in the trail race.

1. Zack backpack on both shoulders
2. Water (more than 500ml)
3. Behavioral food (only at the start)
4. Hooded rain jacket
5. Course map
6. First Aid kit (bandage, taping, etc.)
7. Mobile phone
8. Your health insurance card
9. Emergency blanket (wind protection, cold protection, waterproof sheet)
10. Whistle
11. My Cup (more than 100cc)
12. Cocohelical terminal (the one indicating where you are)

I was surprised that the difference between blankets, whistles, mobile phones, cocohelical terminals and marathon competitions, but running in the mountains is so dangerous.
You need to be prepared enough, right?
For the first time, it may be a little difficult to prepare everything, but please be assured that 9-12 can be purchased at the time of entry.

Comments from the organizers

This time, we asked Mr. Sasaki of the NPO Kubokawa Sports Club, the organizer of the tournament, about the tournament.

– Please tell us your thoughts on this event.

Mr. Sasaki: Last year, due to the impact of COVID-19, there were few participants, but this year we are happy to have received applications from about 530 people from all over the country.

-What is the charm of the Oku Shimanto Trail Race?

Mr. Sasaki: The difficulty is one of the attractions of the course, such as magnificent mountains and steep mountain passes, but it is a course where you can enjoy the nature of Kochi, such as the sinking bridge and Shimanto River unique to Kochi. In addition, the hospitality of local volunteers and local women's association "Yoneoku Nagomikai" is also attractive, so I would like you to fully enjoy it.

-Please give advice to the interview team of the first challenge.

Mr. Sasaki: Run at your own pace without being pulled by fast players. The second half will be quite tight, so keep the first half and hold it down.

After receiving advice, the interview team is ready.

8:00 a.m. long start

With expectations and anxiety, it is finally starting from Matsubakawa Onsen.

Enter the mountain path early.

While avoiding the puddles and muddyness caused by the rain the day before, I aimed for the goal while always conscious of Sasaki's words "Suppress and suppress".

Unlike the road, the trail race is difficult to understand the route, so it seems that there are many cases where the course goes out.

In order to prevent disqualification due to courseouts, it is important to run while always being aware of this landmark set up by Mr. Sasaki and other management people.
Please note that there are cases where you run by believing only in the previous person and course out together.

On the way, there were places where the road width was narrowed and there were places where the river was crossed, so there were scenes where everyone walked like a training walk party.

In addition, running on various terrains, such as jumping over a lying large tree or crossing a steep slope over a rope, was like experiencing adventure in nature.

In addition, the road without a road and the super steep slope where the voice came out unexpectedly, "Dare the route!?"
Either way, always up and down. (*The road is also 5 to 6 km.)
Unlike the road, even if you run or run, the distance does not extend, and the goal of 36 km was repeatedly attacked by an endless distant feeling. Can you still get a goal?

The goal this time is to finish anything within the time limit (8 hours).
I managed to move forward with my body that did not move as I expected, my feet that did not work, and managed to finish to Matsubakawa Onsen, the same as the starting venue.

The finish time of the interview team you care about is 7 hours 42 minutes 30 seconds. It was a goal almost in the last minute.
It is the first time in my life that I have been moving for so long.

The calories consumed is astonishing 3,785 calories.
The daily intake of adult men is about 2,200 calories (announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), so you can see that it was a considerable consumption.

From the next day onward, I was attacked by whole body muscle pain and felt the severity of the trail race.
As a result, there was more pain than I imagined, but,

But!
This time, I was able to feel the new feeling of experience, excitement, and charm, so I will introduce it to everyone.

Attractive points Part 1: Nature's richness and healing

On this day, it was a very sultry event with a maximum temperature of 31 ° C and a humidity of 80%, but in the shade of the mountain, the wind was cool, the perceived temperature was reduced, and I felt comfortable.

Also, occasionally, I was healed by the scenery seen between the trees and the countryside unique to the countryside of Kochi.

And the synonym of Shimanto River is the sinking bridge. The beautiful scenery of the sinking bridge in harmony with mountains and rivers is a superb view spot.

In this course, we will cross two subsidence bridges, Shimizugase Subsidence Bridge and Ittohyo Subsidence Bridge, but the second Ittohyo Subsidence Bridge can dive to Shimanto River as it is.
Good for cooling down burning body.

If you are afraid to dive, icing that makes use of nature on the riverbank near the last 2 km is also the best.

Attractive points Part 2: Exchange with participants

Trail races often run slow or walk at a slow pace compared to roads, so it is not a burden to talk.
For this reason, there are many opportunities to talk with the runners before and after, and even if you meet for the first time, you can immediately meet each other with a common hobby and those aiming for the same goal.

Interaction with other runners and encouragement in times of difficulty are not only to improve the motivation of the interview team, but also to share experiences that can only be enjoyed here, and the community expanded by the creation of runner friends. It was a very meaningful time.

Attractive points Part 3: Warm hospitality

The marathon event is held thanks to the management staff, local residents, local organizations, volunteers, etc.
And for runners, the most power is support and cheering from such people, and hospitality at aid stations.

Staff runners who supported us, such as calling out and rushing first if there was a person in poor physical condition while accompanied by the participants.

When the footsteps of the participants approached in places or junctions that are likely to get lost in the mountains, government officials and volunteers who sounded Naruko and guided them with applause and cheering. When I called out, he said that he was climbing the mountain from 6:00 in the morning two hours earlier than the start and waiting. My head does not rise m(__)m

Local residents who applauded and cheered for a long time in the hot weather.

Including the day before, we prepared an aid station from 6:00 in the morning of the day, welcomed tired runners with a smile, and provided hospitality to government officials and local women's association "Yoneoku Nagomikai".
The members of the Nagomikai said with a smile, "It's hard, but if everyone smiles, we will also get energy and youth."

At the aid station, only potatoes, somen, salted cucumber, dried plums, miso soup, watermelon, etc. soaked into the runner's body, and the power was full.

What impressed me most was the salt water.
I felt like I met the best rice ball in my life when I lost my salt due to hunger and sweat.

Finally

The body of the interview team was boggy, but thanks to the runners who ran with me, the local residents who supported me, the local organizations, volunteers, and the government office, my heart was filled with gratitude .

Oku Shimanto Trail Race is a truly attractive event for nature lovers and running lovers. You can have valuable experiences such as beautiful scenery, challenging, and interacting with local people. Please join us at the next time.
After the tournament, please heal your fatigue firmly at Matsubakawa Onsen, the venue, and return home.

Oku Shimanto Trail Race Official Site: http://okushimanto-trailrace.com/

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