Day 59 - Hakata, Oshima, and Tokushima, Japan

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July 29       Photos by Chris Emerick

Team Yellow consists of Laurel, Rudy, Paul, Heiko and, today, Taeko. They are the rock stars of Day 59, running the first shift (9 p.m. to 3 a.m.) and the last shift (3 p.m. to 9 p.m.) of the day.

Not only did they run two shifts, they did it for the second time in a week — and they did it with injuries and/or illnesses. To any outsider, it is obvious that this team sticks together like cement. As Rudy puts it, "We decided at the beginning that we would conquer this quest as a team," and at Day 59 they have no intention of changing their plan.

Taeko heads up the road.

Laurel is the only woman on the team and is described by her teammates as the "team sweetheart" and the "peacemaker." When they have a disagreement, Heiko says, "Laurel makes a decision, and that is that." Heiko and Paul are the jokesters of the bunch — bickering and joshing back and forth — and will happily subject anyone to their humor who happens to cross their path. Yet they always manage to tease each other with a smile. Rudy does not escape their ridicule and at times contributes, but whenever morale is down, his optimism instantly uplifts spirits.

It is interesting to note that they share another thing: their idea of the perfect ending to any day — a beer.

Hakata was the first city of the day and is located on the small Hakata island. The run crossed the Hakata-Oshima bridge to Oshima, the second city on the route. Sunila Jayaraj was joined by Japanese guide, Miyuki, on his run for about 2 miles. The third city on the route, Imabari, was a rural community. Heiko Weiner encountered very strong rains on his run, but still completed his 10 miles in 90 minutes. Some of the runners got to swim in the Setonaikai Sea after their runs – a perfect respite for tired legs and overheated bodies!

Below. Team Silver hangs out an en exhange point.