I sort of knew it was coming. Although Kyoto ran as usual, as soon as they’ve announced cancellation of Tokyo Marathon, all smaller events started to follow. On Thursday 20 February, 2.5 weeks before my marathon I got the email… Cancellation of Shizuoka Marathon 2020.

One month before I even went to Osaka, I was already planning my next marathoning goals for 2020. Somehow I couldn’t decide when and where I should run next, and then…

It was crisp and fresh morning on Sunday 8 December when I left my hotel in Namba to go to Osaka Castle Park. Starting blocks close 15 min before the gun, so hurry up and use one of the 300 portable toilets provided. The weather was perfect for running. People cheering, shouting, singing everywhere… what a party!

Great Ocean Road Marathon (or now Great Ocean Road Running Festival) Expo is not your typical indoor fair. It is more like an outdoor mini festival with stalls under gazebos, music, jumping castles for the kids, food trucks and even a kite making workshop.

3 years ago I ran Great Ocean Road Half Marathon, which is actually a little bit longer than a normal half, it’s 23 km. Now I felt it was time to face the real challenge, the 44km marathon on the hilliest and windiest road in Australia.

When I finally got to Kyoto on Thursday 15 February, 2 days before the marathon, I knew I shouldn’t run. Every time I tried, my ITBS was back and with more pain than before but… I really didn’t want to admit it, even to myself.

I have my dream marathon in Kyoto in less than 4 weeks and guess what has just happened? I injured my knee. All my fault, I know, I was asking for it.

Kyoto Marathon 2018 was to be held on Sunday 18 February and the lottery entry application period was between 20 July and 31 August 2017. During that time they received 65,948 entries to fill 16,000 places!!!