Last weekend Kakuda held its annual Marathon on the bank of the Abukuma River, which runs through Kakuda. The event has grown over the years and this year had 2,300 runners. There are multiple events ranging from 2km all the way to a half marathon. The event included speeches of encouragement from Mayor Otomo and Superintendent Kikuchi.

I served as a water boy along the half marathon course with some of my city hall coworkers and other members of the community.

It was neat to see so many Kakuda citizens lining the road to cheer the runners on.

I can be seen here with hikari-chan and gaburi-kun. Hikari-chan is Kakuda’s mascot.

Today’s word is matsupoi which is said when a bright light renders you unable to see clearly. mabushii is the typical word