Awaji Island 5KM Road Race

I first read about Awaji Island, the birthplace of Japan, several years ago and so was open to an opportunity to visit. When I saw that there was a road race on the island I booked a place. Training has been going terribly over the last few months, beset with chronic back pain and other distractions. So I saw this race as a nice day out and a bit of fun rather than aiming for a good finishing time.

The course was mostly flat and I felt good throughout. It was a bit of a surprise to run a decent race, finishing 4^th man overall and 3^rd senior man in a time of 16 minutes 49 seconds and securing a place on the Winners Podium. I have finished in the top three of several races but always missed the prize giving ceremony due to not understanding how these events work and the language barrier. I was determined not to miss it this time around. I received a magnificent trophy, three types of Awaji Island produced salad dressing, a certificate and a bag of onions – the agricultural product that the island is best known for!

Other highlights of the day include driving across Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and seeing Izangi Jingu Shrine. Awaji Island is connected to the main island of Japan, Honshu, by Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which at 2 miles in length is the longest suspension bridge in the world. It was a bit of a thrill to drive across it to and from the race venue, which was next to Izanagi Jingu Shrine - the oldest shrine in Japan.

Legend has it that Awaji was the first island of Japan, created by the gods Izanagi and Izanami. They stirred the sea with a heavenly spear, and when they lifted it, a droplet of salt water fell from the spear into the sea which created Awaji Island. The gods then descended to live on the island, going on to create the other islands of Japan before taking human form and living out their days at the site of the shrine that is now dedicated to them. Many runners took the chance to visit it after the race, making a relaxing end to a nice day out on the island.