Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon 2018 びわ湖毎日マラソン
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The Biwako Marathon or Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon is held annually in March in Otsu. It starts (at 12:30 pm) and finishes at Ojiyama Stadium in central Otsu, near Otsu Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line. Known as one of Japan'a major marathons for top male runners, the Lake Biwa Marathin's 42.195 km course goes along the lake shore and Seta River. The terrain is mostly flat. Before the start of the marathon, there are PR booths near the stadium entrance.
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Another mascot.
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PR for National Sports Festival of Japan to be held in Shiga in 2024.
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PR for Expo 2025 in candidate city Osaka. (Osaka won the bid to host Expo 2025.)
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Stats for the top runners in the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon in 2018.
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Police vehicles to be used for the marathon.
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The marathon's lead and end police cars.
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Police motorcycles for the marathon.
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Trucks for marathon staff and logistics.
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Ojiyama Stadium's exit and entry gate for the runners.
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Ojiyama Stadium bleachers. No reserved seating.
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Ojiyama Stadium in Otsu.
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Ojiyama Stadium has served as the start and finish line for the Biwako Mainichi Marathon since 1965.
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Abebe Bikila, the legendary marathon gold medalist of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, ran and won the marathon in Shiga in 1965.
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The runners start walking to the start line.
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Runners walking to the start line as the starting time of 12:30 pm approaches.
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The elite runners are on the front line.
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They paused here first.
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Biwako Mainichi Marathon runners at the start line in Ojiyama Stadium in Otsu, Shiga.
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Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon runners start running after Otsu Mayor Naomi Koshi (in red on the far right) fires the starting pistol at 12:30 pm.
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And they are off!! Good luck to them all!!
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Runners pass by Otsu Mayor Naomi Koshi (standing in red) after she fired the starting gun at the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon on March 4, 2018.
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They first ran a lap around the stadium track.
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After 55 sec., runners at the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon at Ojiyama Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture.
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Runners at the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon at Ojiyama Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture.
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Runners at the 2018 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon.
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Runners at the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon leaving Ojiyama Stadium.
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About 90 min. later, I went to the Lake Biwa Canal here to watch the runners again. This is a few km before the finish.
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Bus to pick up runners.
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Police cars.
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Lead police car.
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One hour and 49 min. has passed, according to the official timekeeper.
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NHK TV broadcasts the marathon live nationwide.
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Two police motorcycles lead the way for the leading runners.
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The leaders were two Kenyans, Macharia NDIRANGU (left) and Albert KORIR at Lake Biwa Canal a few km before the finish.No. 8 Jake Robertson (New Zealand) is close behind.
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Macharia NDIRANGU (left) and Albert KORIR leading the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon in 2018.
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Macharia NDIRANGU (left) and Albert KORIR leading the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon in 2018.
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Macharia NDIRANGU (left) and Albert KORIR.
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Kenyan Macharia NDIRANGU (left) glances at Albert KORIR (also Kenyan) at Lake Biwa Canal a few km before the finish.Macharia NDIRANGU soon won the Lake Biwa Marathon in 2:07'53", and Albert KORIR came in second.
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No. 5 Daniele Meucci at Lake Biwa Marathin in 2018.
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NHK TV truck tracking the top Japanese runners.
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TV cameraman on motorcycle covering marathon runners.
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No. 270 NAKAMURA Shogo (中村匠吾) came in 7th at 2:10'51".
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I stayed and watched the remaining runners.
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Not much of a crowd. No cosplayer runners. This is a serious marathon for elite runners.
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Leg cramps perhaps...
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Ride for runners.
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The last marathon runner followed by the tailing police car and staff vehicles. I later watched the marathon on my video recorder.
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Pickup van for runners.
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End police car.
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