42nd New Year's Day Marathon 2025 - Prayers for "good harvest, road safety, no accidents, and safety in the home"

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

On New Year's Day, 2025 (Reiwa 7), the 42nd New Year's Day Marathon was held to pray for bountiful harvests, safe travels, and good health throughout the year.

On New Year's Day, we gathered at Shinryu Shrine from around 6:30 a.m. The temperature was -17°C, and it was an extremely cold morning, so cold that our fingertips went numb and we felt like they would freeze.

During the magic hour before sunrise, the deep indigo sky mixed with the orange color of the sun, creating a mystical moment. As the day gradually brightened, the magnificent morning sun appeared from between the clouds, looking divine!!!

New Year's Day Marathon

• Prayer:Good harvest, traffic safety, no accidents, family safety
• Co-sponsored by:Hokuryu Town Sports Association, JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch Office
• Sponsorship:Hokuryu Town Board of Education, JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch Office, Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen
• Sponsored by:Traffic Safety Association, Hokuryu Firefighting Union Fire Supporters Association, Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative Association
• Secretariat:JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch Office, etc.

The New Year's Day Marathon is,35th (2018)The event has been co-sponsored by the Hokuryu Town Sports Association and JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch Office since April 1, 2012.

Twenty-two townspeople gathered at Shinryu Shrine, and after paying their respects, the New Year's Day Marathon began at around 7:00 a.m.

Greetings from Yuji Arata, Head of the Agriculture Division at JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch

"We have had a wonderful New Year once again. We hope to do our best this autumn to bring about a bountiful harvest, so we ask for your continued support.

Well then, I would like to first pay my respects at the New Year's Day Marathon."

Greetings from Minoru Nagai, Representative Director of JA Kitasorachi and the Hokuryu District

"Happy New Year everyone!
We look forward to working with you again this year.

We have just visited the shrine to pray for a bountiful harvest and the safety and health of everyone in Kitaryū Town.

This year, the Year of the Snake started with good weather. The Year of the Snake is the year I was born. As my name (Minoru) suggests, it is also a year of abundance.

I hope that this year will be another healthy, fruitful year, free of disasters, and that I will do my best.

We look forward to your continued support this year," said Minoru Nagai, Regional Representative Director.

After that, we offered everyone sacred sake.Junmai Ginjo Sake Hokuryu Comet" was offered to us, which we gratefully accepted.

commemorative photograph

New Year's Day Marathon starts!

After the prayer, we all moved to the front of the Kitaryū Fire Department building, put on yellow sashes for "road safety," and started off together!

Each person will run at his/her own pace according to his/her physical condition!

Souvenir of participation

Souvenirs of participation include Yumepirika 300g rice (provided by JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch Office) and Kuro Sengoku Kinako (provided by Kuro Sengoku Business Cooperative), both illustrated by Agri-Fighter North Dragon!

This year is the year of the snake, Kinotomi.
In the year of the snake, which is said to be a time of rebirth and reform, a mystical new year will see the white snake, the incarnation of God that brings good fortune, swoop down, and we wish you boundless love, gratitude, and prayers.

Youtube Video

More Photos

Photos (63 photos) from the 42nd New Year's Day Marathon 2025 are here >>

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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi)