On Saturday, November 6, "NB TEST RUN SHIBUYA," an experimental event to consider the future of running, was held in Yoyogi Park.
This event was held in partnership with New Balance, Shibuya Future Design, and Yoyogi Park. With the hope that many people will become familiar with the city and running, and to find opportunities to create a new running culture together, a one-day test run "YOYOGI PARK FKT TEST RUN" was held, as well as a talk event entitled "RUNNING MEET UP" talk events and group runs will be held. Our own HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB♡ also participated in the talk event and led the group run.
. This is a view of the talk event by HOUYHNHNM RUNNING CLUB♡s. In addition to HOUYHNHNM's deputy editor, Hiroshi Yamamoto (second from left in photo), running advisor Hideaki Makino (second from right in photo) and TrailRunner.jp editor-in-chief Tatsuo Takahashi (right in photo) were also guests. They discussed the relationship between the city, parks, and runners from their respective perspectives.
The talk event was followed by a group run. Starting from Yoyogi Park, the course is about 7 km, passing through Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine, Yamate Street, Nabeshima Shoto Park, Maruyamacho neighborhood, SHIBUYA109, MIYASHITA PARK and other old and new landmarks in Shibuya, before returning to Yoyogi Park.
When we asked participants to comment after the run, we heard a few surprised comments such as, "I didn't know there was a shrine in that area! I didn't know there was a park here! Yes, even in the Shibuya-Harajuku area, which everyone seems to know so well, there are always new discoveries to be made while running around the area. There are views that can be seen not by walking, biking, or driving, but by running on one's own feet. This event reminded me of that.
The Corona disaster has caused marathons and other races to be cancelled across the board, events have been restricted, and the situation surrounding running has changed in no small way. However, the fundamental appeal of running and the essence of running have not changed. Whether you are a regular runner or not, if you are feeling stuck in a rut in your daily life, why not try a light run around the city or park where you live? You may discover new and unexpected aspects of your city that you had not seen before.
Text_Issey Enomoto
