Foreign Runner Check-in

Published November 30, 2019

Osaka EXPO 2019

Like all my big-city races, day’s Expo far away. Guessing city-tourism likes to share the wealth. 7-Eleven yen withdrawal, metro day-pass purchase. Phone fully-charged, I got this. Chuo Line to Cosmosquare. Osaka Convention Center, all the way to the end.

Volunteers awaiting, pointing the way. THOUSANDS of runners. Crowd line-queued, inching forward slowly. 2^nd largest marathon-only event in my life [behind NYC].

Rainbow-variety of charities. Participants choose a cause & pledge a donation. Funds withdrawn after July’s lottery pull. Team Red. Cancer not unique to Americans.

Hour+ bib pick-up. Foreign Runner Check-in. WOW – signage says it all. Even amongst the Foreign, I felt foreign. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan… and me.

Tomorrow, my last continent. Road pavement (or Antarctica trail). Marathon on all Earth’s landmasses. 26.2 miles. Honored. Blessed. And super emotional.

Osaka, Japan. Right time, right place. Sooo many people I’ve met on this journey.

Inspiration overload ❤️