#10

Being supported by the warmth of people, running through the nature.

Swimming in the transparent sea, cycling through the air. And then, behind the sea and the voice of the people in this island, run though Miyako- Jima.
Condensed all "delightful" in triathlon is this one in Miyako-Jima.

The severe race that attracts people so much.

Swimming-3km, Cycling-155km, and Running-42.195km. These are the distances which triathletes do in the Miyako-Jima triathlon. This is categorized as the "long-distance" that is very hard one in all triathlon. "The courage to stand on the starting line. Everyone who goals is a winner." In spite of this, this All-Japan triathlon in Miyako-Jima which counts 30th in 2014, participates over 1500 people throughout Japan.

An unusual encounter with Miyako-Jima.

"Especially during running, so many local people are along the way and cheer us." I was encouraged to have beer and take a rest once. On the previous competition, I made a friend with a man who is a dairy farmer had his foal name my name at its birth. The next day, he ran with me for a while riding a horse which hangs a banner that was written my name and "Good luck!". Those people who get along with me say "Welcome back" and receive me. I just want to enjoy the competition and feel the breeze this year. During the swimming, I heard that the divers wave their hands in the sea. Because I have never realized those things, I really want to feel the different Miyako- Jima than ever, including such things this year."

The kindness of people in Miyako-Jima make "humanity".

"Consideration and kindness of people in Miyako-Jima. We forget the appreciation and the hospitality in daily life. I think the people in Miyako- Jima brings on such a positive energy which human originally have naturally. This is because they're strong that they go against natural disasters like Typhoon and so on. Getting to know such a thing, I now feel to hoping to "make them happy" not just for myself as an athlete. This is the one which people develop people."

Looking for meeting people in this island again.

"The sea is beautiful. The location of running and cycling is good. And we can run among the warm encouragement. I feel this atmosphere that everyone is all together and cheer us up is so different than other triathlon competitions. Triathlon is the one which is out of daily life and show our ability maximum. It is really hard during the competition, but I feel like doing again in the end, and is like toxic for us. By increasing the participation, I get to feel the importance of connecting people. Meeting people who helped me and are only able to meet once a year, is one of my pleasure."

The charm of triathlon is all here.

We start swimming at Yonahamaehama-beach which is called the best in Oriental, and go up to north to Ikema-Jima by bike without stopping. Crossing Ikema-Ohashi in the Miyako-blue, passing from the famous for a place of scenic beauty, Higashi-Hennazaki to Nanamata-Kaigan where we see the cliff of the risen coral reef, and getting Kurima-Ohashi and back. The course that we are able to know from north to south in Miyako-Jima well and the warmth of local people. We can say that the charm of triathlon is all in here.