"1000km Cross-Country Relay" Reached the finish line in sweltering Tokyo!

The "1000km Relay for the Road to Tomorrow 2015" (Organized by: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Sports and Culture Foundation; Sponsored by: Japan Airlines, ASICS, Mizuho Financial Group, NEC, Kinki Nippon Tourist), a recovery support relay connecting disaster areas from Aomori to Tokyo via running and cycling, reached its goal on August 7.

This relay covered approximately 1,250 kilometers across 162 sections in a relay format. By passing the relay sash, participants communicated recovery efforts and the current situation in the disaster areas. Held since 2013, its purpose is to prevent the fading of memories of the disaster and to deepen the bonds between participants from across Japan and the affected regions. It also features "Fureai Running" sections open to participants regardless of disability or age. Over 2,600 people applied to be general runners or cyclists, with approximately 1,400 participating in the relay.

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The relay began on July 24th, five years before the opening of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, starting from the Aomori Prefectural Government Office. Participants on the day included event ambassador and former marathon runner Naoko Takahashi, guest runners ELLY from J Soul Brothers III, and talent Saeka Akimoto. They ran alongside general runners on public roads to celebrate the start of the event.

Starting in Aomori, the relay took 15 days as runners and cyclists passed the baton through Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba prefectures. Along each leg, ambassadors including hammer thrower Hirokazu Murofushi and professional wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda were joined by guest participants. These included medalists, athletes, artists, and comedians with ties to the regions or hailing from the prefectures themselves. They energized the event while connecting with the disaster-affected areas. Additionally, local groups performed various cheering acts in each location, boosting the spirits of the participants.

On the final day, August 7th, the final segment, the Fureai Running event, saw participation from approximately 100 general runners alongside athletes including Kunieda, marathon silver medalist Yuko Arimori, gymnastics gold medalist Hiroyuki Tomita, swimming bronze medalist Haruka Ueda, and AYA from Dream/E-girls. Starting in front of Jogport in Koto Ward, Tokyo, they aimed for Symbol Promenade Park about 1.7 kilometers away.

At the finish line, greeted by Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe and artist Tomomi Kahara, who had run the Chiba 18th District that day, the runners crossed the finish line with energetic smiles, sharing their joy with high-fives.

At the grand finish ceremony, Kunieda presented Governor Masuzoe with the "Sash for Tomorrow" that connected the 1,000 kilometers. A representative runner presented the "Kotono-ha Tree" – a tree-shaped structure made from "Kotono-ha" (words of hope) written by participants expressing their wishes for reconstruction.

Governor Masuzoe stated, "Without the recovery of Tohoku, there can be no revival of Japan. Let us all join forces to overcome difficulties and make the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games the greatest in history."

Official website: http://www.1000km.jp/