Did you know that a marathon is actually held at 17END on Miyakojima Island, which is nicknamed “Heaven”?
This event, which began in 2022, is known as the 17END Half Marathon.
I attended this event, which was held for the second time!
Even though I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed as this is my first half marathon, I’ll be writing this report based on photos I took while running.
LargeHow to Participate
The 17END Half Marathon is officially known as the “Miyakojima City 17END Half Marathon.”
This time, the airline Skymark was the sponsor.
Right next to 17END is the runway at Miyako-Shimojishima Airport. Since Skymark Airlines is the main carrier using the airport, that’s probably why they signed this sponsorship deal.
To participate in the tournament, you must first submit an application online. The tournament’sAbout two months agoBookings begin here.
Participation Fee
The participation fee varies depending on the distance run. The following information was posted on the Miyakojima City Hall website.
I participated in Course A (21 km), so my entry fee was 5,000 yen. On top of that, there was a website usage fee of 375 yen, bringing my total expenses to 5,375 yen.
Quoted from the Miyakojima City website
Before the race, I thought the entry fee was a bit steep, but now that it’s over, I feel it was reasonable considering the food and drinks provided during the race and the operational costs.
Pick up at Miyako-Shimojishima Airport
After completing your registration online, a confirmation postcard will be mailed to your home. You’ll then go to pick up your race bib and other items on the date specified on the postcard; in this case, the pickup date was November 11, the day before the race. The pickup location was, believe it or not,Miyako-Shimojishima Airport!
I parked my car in the parking lot and headed to the pickup location. Unfortunately, it was raining that day.
As you walk down the hallway, you’ll see signs pointing to the registration area.
Even though it’s November, it’s still warm on Miyakojima, and everyone is wearing short sleeves.
If you follow the signs, you’ll end up on the side of the parking lot reserved for rental cars, which is quite a detour. I went in the evening, so it wasn’t crowded, but I imagine they’ve set up this route anticipating crowds in the morning or early afternoon.
I finally arrived at the reception desk.
Please present the registration postcard you received at home when you check in.
This is what the venue looked like. We picked up our tickets in front of the Skymark check-in counter.
The sponsor’s logo was also displayed there.
The event merchandise will also include that item from Miyakojima
I received all kinds of event merchandise!
First up is the event T-shirt. The design is cute! I also like that it’s white, which makes it easy to wear every day. It’s made of polyester.
Next up: towels! These are large-sized and easy to use even after a shower.
They also served water. It was the kind sold on Skymark flights. It was 300 ml.
And when it comes to Miyakojima, this is a must-see!Swirl Bread!Participants coming from outside the island will surely appreciate this. It’s amazing that they’re handing these out before the marathon, isn’t it? ( ´艸｀)
And, of course, the race bib was included too! Since it has my name on it, I haven’t posted a photo of it.
LargeThe day of the event
The day of the event is finally here! Unfortunately, it’s drizzling, but we’re setting off in high spirits.
The starting point is Heisei no Mori Park on Irabu Island. From Miyakojima, you’ll have to drive quite a distance after crossing the Irabu Bridge. It takes about 20 minutes, even though there are almost no traffic lights along the way.
When we arrived at Heisei no Mori Park, the road leading to the parking lot was surprisingly crowded—a sight rarely seen on Irabu Island. Since around 2015, the number of people moving to Miyakojima has increased, and I’ve been seeing license plates from outside the prefecture much more often.
There was a large parking lot next to Heisei no Mori Baseball Stadium, so I had no trouble finding a place to park.
A commemorative photo before we start
It’s almost time for the start! The atmosphere of the marathon is really building.
Since there aren’t many people around yet, let’s take a commemorative photo while we have the chance and then head forward.
A spot for pre-event greetings had also been set up. Someone invited us by saying, “Please feel free to take a photo if you’d like,” so my friend and I took a commemorative photo with our presentation titles. The conference staff were truly friendly.
Battling Strong Winds
Just before the start. I was surprised to see so many participants—more than I expected. Since I was planning to run at a leisurely pace with a friend, I avoided the front of the pack and took my place a little further back. At first glance, it seemed like there were more people who had moved to Miyakojima or had come specifically for the race than actual residents of the island. I was happy to see so many local students participating as well.
Right from the start, you’ll be battling strong winds. Looking at the map, this is the general area. The ☆ mark indicates the starting point.
Since we were riding along the coast, I expected the wind to be strong, but the weather was bad that day and the headwind was exhausting… I couldn’t even hear my friend talking.
Even when the weather is bad, the ocean is beautiful. The fence on the left marks the runway at Miyako-Shimojishima Airport.
As you continue on for a while, you’ll see the airport guidance lights. Once you pass the guidance lights, you’ll be almost at 17END!
Driving Along the Scenic 17END Route
I ran all the way to the guide light. The headwind is still terrible…
It’s located around here. It’s the main attraction of the event.
The weather isn’t great, but the structures stretching out into the blue sea are beautiful. Around this area, more and more runners stop to take photos.
And finally, we’ve arrived at 17END. The weather’s bad, but it’s still beautiful.
One runner said, “It’s such a joy to be able to run here,” and I couldn’t agree more!
By the way, I came to the first race just to hang out and take photos for a friend. There were some sunny spells that day, and the scenery was quite spectacular. While sunny days can be tough for running, you get to enjoy the breathtaking views.
On the runway side of Miyako-Shimojishima Airport, Skymark staff were there to cheer us on. It really lifted our spirits and made us happy. Thank you for braving the cold.
AS: Dining experiences unique to Miyakojima
Once you pass the 17END marker, the aid stations finally start to appear. The first aid station offers water only, but once you turn around, a variety of food and drinks become available. That’s one of the joys of running a marathon.
Here are the AS restaurants and bars that I thought really captured the essence of Miyakojima
It’s called “zenzai,” but it’s different from what you might imagine—the dish made with red beans simmered on the mainland and topped with shiratama dumplings. In Okinawa, “zenzai” refers to a dish where simmered red beans and shiratama dumplings are served over cold shaved ice. That said, eating zenzai when you’re parched is pure torture…
I thought, “That can’t be right,” but the mozuku somen turned out to be pretty good.
My friend was given a Coke by an acquaintance who was volunteering at a service area along the way, and ended up struggling for the rest of the trip…
The second half features a steep, sudden slope
After passing 17END and the second AS, you’ll ride along a gentle, flat stretch for a while.
It was a breeze to ride along the scenic Sawada Beach and through the sugarcane fields, with no wind at all. The location is around here.
After that, the path continues along a gentle slope. On the way back, this gentle downhill slope really takes a toll on your knees…
The sea at the fishing port along the way was beautiful and really soothed me. Hearing people shout “Wai-do!” along the road also lifted my spirits. In the Miyakojima dialect, it means “Hang in there.”
Just as I was thinking, “Is this about halfway through?”
Right in front of you
The slope is way too steep… Combined with the weather, it’s creating a rather unpleasant atmosphere. The location is around here.
A group of middle-aged men are running down the hill full of energy.
Fast ( ﾟДﾟ)
The guys with Afros running right in front of me were slipping on boxing mitts and letting runners passing by punch them, as if to inject them with fighting spirit. They seemed way too relaxed… but stuff like this really gives you a boost, doesn’t it!
It’s really long… and because it’s a straight road, it feels even farther…
Just when you think the hill is over, there’s one last steep climb. The waves are intense, too.
We’ve finally reached the halfway point.
The second half of this uphill climb is quite strenuous, but once you turn around, the scenery is truly soothing. The unobstructed view of the lush green landscape and the pale turquoise and blue horizon was absolutely beautiful. On a sunny day, the view must be simply irresistible.
On the way back, since we had to walk downhill the same distance we’d climbed, my knees were shaking…
Even so, the cheers from the aid stations and along the route really gave me a boost. The cheers right before the finish line were especially heartwarming.
Even though it was my first half marathon and I was completely out of my depth, I managed to finish the race without walking and actually had fun doing it. While there were some tough uphill and downhill sections, the course was mostly flat and easy to run. Weather conditions like the wind are just a matter of luck…
In any case, the breathtaking scenery and the warm support of the people of Miyakojima give me strength!
I hope this article helps someone have a good time. Thank you for reading to the end.
