The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-05-11
A JAPANESE
MARATHON RACE

Z YOKOHAMA, April 25.-Probably
not since the beginning of the Meiji era
has the highroad between Kobe and
Osaka seen so much excitement as on
April p. True, the commotion was of
short duration; few minutes after the
Marathon procession had passed by the
villages along the route resumed their
normal state, and only few paper flags
in the hands of the children, and in
Vulnerable footprints in the rich, oozy
mud, remained as evidence of the hap
pening OF the greatest sporting event
in the history of Japan. The heavy
rains on Saturday had converted the
road in places to mere quagmire, and
the unfortunate jinrikisha men who
had to pull and push officials, journal
lists, doctors and nurses from Kobe to
Osaka deserve consolation prizes.
An enormous crowd witnessed the
start of the race at the Minatogawa
bank, and an even bigger crowd con-
gregated at the other end of the route
to witness the finish. Some enterpris-
ing ones essayed to see both start and
finish, depending upon the friendly aid
of the Hanshin ears, but these were so
crowded on Sunday that even the con-
ductors were surprised at the number
of human beings that can, at pinch,
be squeezed in, on or about tram
car in excess of the legal number.
Among those who saw the start from
Kobe were Mr.. Fuha, Chief Secretary
of the Kencho, representing Governor
Hattori; Mr.. Minakami, Mayor of
Kobe, and several other public officials,
There were also present two Shinto
priests from Nanko Temple, who served
the competitors with o-miki, or sacred
sake. This is a survival of an old Gus
tom, when warriors, before proceeding
: to battle, paid homage at a shrine,
where they were given a cup of sacred
liquor which was to lead them on to for
tune and gallant deeds. After an adj
dress by Mr.. Fuha, who said that the
race would test their samurai spirit and
valor, the men were started on their
long journey at 1888 by Mr.. Nina
kami, who severed the tricolored silk
cord which held the competitors in line
Headed by motor-car, which served
occasionally to break a way through
the dense crowd of people, the runners
sped through Kobe, cheered on their
way by thousands of sightseers.
Of the race itself, little need be OF
can be said. Inouye Teruji, Kobe
student, led the procession, followed by
Kaneko Chonosuke, a reservist of Okla
yama. At Mirume, which was passed
about noon, the first two men reversed
their positions, and from this time on
ward Kaneko kept in front, and finish
ing at 1:411a, having covered the
course of about 20 miles in 2 hours
minutes, according to the times given
The second man, Koji Goichi, of the
Himeji Normal School, was about five
minutes behind, while the next three
| men were close together. The last man
| arrived at the finish about 2:15.
After the runners had been medically
attended and had rested for awhile, the
| prizes, 800 yen, 200 yen, so yen, and &c
yen, in cash, were presented, each prize
! winner also receiving a gold medal
| The fortunate Kaneko was the reeip
| lent of numerous presents from com
mercial firms and private individuals
| including gold watch and some valu
able clothes. The runners were taker
on to the Osaka Hotel, where dinner
| was held, and some more prizes pre-
| sented.-Japan Chronicle.