This weekend is the Ikei 1/2 marathon.

April 12 Special Olympics 5K, Risner Fitness Complex, Kadena, 0800. $10
(100 t-shirts) UMUC Kadena 634-3318.

April 26 IE Shima Bike/Hike Tour: we will be touring the island on bike,
hiking the mountain, lunch, and more! Car pooling up to Motobu Port from
USNH, leaving at 0700. Call USNH Health Promotion 645-2620 for information
and sign-up.

USNH Training Program:
May 3- 6 mile run 0600 from USNH
May 10- Nurses Week 5K 0700 from Camp Lester Gym
May 17- 10 mile run 0600 from USNH
May 24- 12 mile run 0600 from USNH
May 31- 15 mile run (CO's Farewell Run to White Beach) 0600 from USNH


May 10 Nurses Week 5K and 2.5K for Kids (12 and under) 0700 start at
Lester Gym Camp Lester, Register at USNH Health Promotion 645-2620

May 31 CO's Farewell Run to White Beach, leaving USNH at 0600. Distance
approx. 15 miles. Register at USNH Health Promotion BY MAY 27. $5 brunch.
free shirts to first 50 finishers. Return bus transportation. 645-2620.

Don't forget the regular Pacific Wellness Association activities:
Wed track interval workout- 1700 at the Sunset Beach Track
Fri social hour- Corpsman's Cove, Camp Lester 1800, discussions center on
training and other healthy lifestyle issues

Below is info on the Nagano Marathon April 20-looks like a good one from the
reviews.
Contact Information
Name: Hidetoshi Kinbara
Address: 1-3-8, Hakoshimizu, Nagano City, 380-0801
Phone Number: 81 26 234 6380
Fax Number: 81 26 234 6381
Email: info@... <mailto:info@...>

Cherry Blossom Marathon Olympic Style (2002) Course: 4 Organization: 5 Fans:
5 A Runner from Cornwall, New York, USA (6/30/02) The marathon started at
the Olympic Memorial Torch Platform in Yamanouch Town. It was a picture
perfect starting-overlooking beautiful mountains surrounding the town. The
first 10 KM was all downhill along the most beautiful cherry blossoms. The
rest of the course was mostly flat and fast. However, there was no shade at
all, it felt hotter than 18.5 degrees C. from the running on asphalt after a
couple of hours. But, there were plenty of water and sports drinks at each
refreshment station to cool me off, Japanese drummers to keep my pace, and
enthusiastic 140,000 spectators. Eventually, I finished at Olympic Memorial
Stadium.

This race was organized with the OLYMPIC TOUCH. Among some 5,000
runners, there were 15 elite runners from Africa, Greece, Poland, Russia,
and China besides 14 Japanese invited runners.The whole race was broadcasted
live on TV and a radio station. I got to watch reruns on TV at 2 AM at
Sunroute Hotel. There were fun cultural activities and ceremonies before
and after the marathon. As a vacation marathoner, I went for the full
effect-welcoming activites-Japanese drum playing and Japanese dancing at the
registration desk at Big Hat, Nagano train station, opening ceremony, and
farewell party (must-if you love great food and saki) at Hotel Kokusai.
There were English interpreters at formal ceremonies. It was a GREAT way
to see and experience Japan! The Japan Travel Bureau did a good job in
making foreign tourist-runners welcome!

Fantastic (General Comments) Course: 5 Organization: 5 Fans: 5 A Runner from
english in singapore (6/17/02) So many spectators it became tiring to
continuously high-five them all the way round! They cheer you on all the way
round and really helped. Didn't find the weather too bad, although the
downhill incline the first 5km or so may be a little tough on the knees.
Beautiful course though, and a nice town to stay in for the weekend. I'm
going back next year and looking forward to it already.

I ran the Nagano Marathon (General Comments) Course: 3 Organization: 5 Fans:
5 A Runner from Idaho State (5/1/01) The people were lined up, it seemed,
the entire 26.2 miles. The course became hot however. We started the race at
9:05 a.m. So, by 11:00 the road was hot. Luckily there was a lot of water
stations. The race was extremely well organized and I used the Japan Travel
Bureau (JTB) to assist with travel. I would definitely do this event again.
Course overall is flat and finishes inside the Main Olympic Stadium. GO FOR
IT!