The area from 35km is an area that brings back many memories of my student days. It was a great feeling to be able to visit this place in this way.
Cross the Marutamachi Bridge to Kawabata Dori. The course continues north to Ichijo Dori and then turns east to Higashi Ichijo Dori.
I used to wander around this area frequently by bicycle because it was near my university, the orchestra practiced every week near Marutamachi-bashi bridge, and I had a close friend who lived around here.
Nostalgic memories of those days came back to me one after another. After 36km, my legs were already very tired, but perhaps because I was soaked in memories, I hardly felt any pain.
From the intersection of Higashi Ichijo, go to Higashioji. You will enter the area of the university campus.
From Higashi Ichijo to Hyakumanben, I have passed through countless street corners.
At the Hyakumanben intersection, I turned right onto Imadegawa Dori and saw a sign saying 5km to go.
About 1km from here, the last ascent toward Ginkakuji Temple is waiting for us. As expected, there are many people walking around here.
I also decided to walk to the Ginkakuji area as I had originally planned without overdoing it, although I occasionally mixed in some light running.
I turned around at the hassle of Ginkakuji Temple where you can see the big Oomon-ji mountain, and it is around 38km.
From here it was back to the Hyakumanben intersection. This time it was downhill, and since I still had enough strength and stamina to run, I decided to use the downhill to run non-stop to Hyakumanben.
It was already time enough to walk, but I was feeling good so I decided to run.
Then, at a brisk pace, I passed the remaining 3km point.
Then we went to Hyakumanben again.
I walked a little until I got to the gymnasium of Kyoto University and took a break, but it was already a gentle downhill from here to the goal, so I decided to run again until I got to Marutamachi-dori, which was 40km past.
The 40km point is in front of the Yoshida Dormitory of Kyoto University.
The place where the university orchestra used to practice. When I was in school, the wooden building where the instruments were stored burned down, and that was the 40km point.
Of course, my instrument was destroyed in that fire.
Just ahead, Higashiyama Konoe was the last barrier. We passed it a few minutes earlier than the scheduled time of 14:00. It really went according to plan.
I run to Marutamachi Street, thinking about the past. It’s safe to walk now that I’m here.
The rain shows no sign of stopping, but there’s only 1km to go.
You can hear the cheers at the finish line well enough from this area.
Passing the last Okazaki Street turnoff, we headed north again.
When we entered the road to Heian Shrine, we were at the 42km point.
Then, turn left at the last corner in the direction of Otorii.
And the finish! I was able to complete the 42.195km safely.
The time was also somehow less than the 6 hour time limit. Still, it was the fastest time in my third full marathon.
As soon as I finished the run, I felt the tension drain away from me and I started to shiver from the cold rain, which I hadn’t minded so much before, and I rushed to pick up my finisher towel.
Those Kyoto Marathon finisher towels are so cool!
I got a nice towel, but the wind and rain are getting stronger. I can’t wait to get my stuff and go home….
But apparently it’s a long way to the baggage claim area. Maybe it’s the same as Tokyo Marathon that it’s long after finishing.
（まだ続きます…）
