2,787 cyclists raced along the Sanriku coast in the "Tour de Tohoku 2014," with notable participants including U.S. Ambassador to Japan Kennedy and Karen Michibata.
The cycling event "Tour de Tohoku 2014" (hosted by Kahoku Shimpo and Yahoo!) was held on September 14th in two cities and two towns along the Sanriku coast of Miyagi Prefecture (Ishinomaki City, Onagawa Town, Minamisanriku Town, Kesennuma City). Held for the second time this year, the event aims to support recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and allow participants to experience the current situation firsthand. As a fun ride without competition for time or rankings, participation doubled from last year to approximately 2,787 people. Notable participants included U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, event ambassador and model Karen Michibata, Tohoku Support Ambassadors Manami Sato and Tetsuo Nakanishi, and many others. Aiming to make the event more accessible to people with disabilities, the "Paracycling Project supported by SUNTORY" was introduced this year, with seven paracyclists participating.
With Ishinomaki Senshu University in Ishinomaki City as the starting and finishing point, four course distances were offered: 220 km, 170 km, 100 km, and 60 km. The start for the longest course, the 220 km "Kesennuma Fondo," was at 5:30 AM. Amidst a fantastical thick fog, participants posed for commemorative photos at the starting line for a special edition of the Kahoku Shimpo newspaper, then started in groups of 30. Mr. Michibata also headed toward Kesennuma with a smile.
In the newly established "Paracycling Project supported by SUNTORY," Paralympian Manami Sato (Suntory Holdings), originally from Kesennuma, and sports journalist Tetsuo Nakanishi started alongside seven paracyclists. Additionally, before the start of the 60-kilometer "Onagawa-Ogachi Fondo," U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy addressed the crowd, "This is my third time visiting Tohoku. I always receive great strength and courage from the people of Tohoku. Today, I look forward to seeing the beautiful coastal scenery," he said with a smile. Along each course, local residents cheered on the participants, and aid stations served local specialty dishes. At 10:10 AM, riders participating in the Onagawa-Ogachi Fondo crossed the finish line. Riders from the other Fondos followed, crossing the finish line one after another.
At the venue at Ishinomaki Senshu University, which served as both the start and finish line, booths from sponsoring companies and local gourmet food stalls lined the area. Stage events and activities for children were also held.
At the booth for Suntory Holdings' "Suntory Tohoku Sun-san Project," a Platinum Partner, participants received a special edition of the Kahoku Shimpo newspaper featuring photos from the start. Panels introduced initiatives supporting Tohoku's recovery, and participants were encouraged to write messages of hope on a digital "Recovery Banner" using tablet devices. Next to this, the "Tohoku Sun-san Ramen" was sold. Developed collaboratively by Miyagi Prefectural Fisheries High School (supported by Suntory as part of this project), the "Tabe Aru King" group (active under the slogan "Revitalize Japan through Food!"), and local ramen shop "Shizuku," this limited-edition menu featured rice flour fish cakes and fish sauce. It proved so popular that long lines formed.
Additionally, during the special program on the main stage, the seven para-cyclists who completed the race, along with Mr. Sato and Mr. Nakanishi, took the stage and shared their impressions. Mr. Sato stated, "I was incredibly happy and felt reassured to be able to ride alongside the para-cyclists. I hope this event continues to grow, attracting more participants and supporters."
Additionally, the venue plaza featured children's activity areas. Not only participants but also families and supporters who came to cheer, along with local residents, gathered and enjoyed friendly interactions with the finishers.
Was this article helpful?
Share this article
