Key Facts
On May 6, 2025, the organizing committee of the “Okayama Marathon 2025,” scheduled for November 9 in Okayama City, hosted a women-focused running workshop at the Okayama Dome in Kita Ward, Okayama City. The event featured Yuko Arimori, an Olympic medalist in women’s marathon and a native of the city, serving as the event’s special ambassador. The workshop aimed to encourage more women to participate in the marathon, as female entries typically account for only about 20% of total participants.
The workshop attracted 107 women aged 18 to 69 from six prefectures, including Okayama and Hiroshima. During the session, Arimori demonstrated training techniques designed to strengthen core and leg muscles. She emphasized the importance of using abdominal muscles to support the upper body, which reduces strain on the legs. Additionally, she advised participants to focus on exhaling rather than inhaling to avoid unnecessary tension while running. Arimori also joined the participants for a run inside the dome, providing hands-on guidance.
One participant, a 61-year-old office worker from Okayama City’s Naka Ward, shared her thoughts on the session. Planning to attempt her third full marathon, she expressed concerns about maintaining a consistent training routine. However, she felt reassured after learning that simple activities, such as climbing stairs, could be effective for preparation.
The workshop was part of a broader effort to increase female participation in the marathon. Registration for the event remains open until May 19, with 13,000 spots available for the full marathon and 1,400 for the 5.6-kilometer fun run.
For more details, visit the official article here.
On May 6, 2025, the organizing committee of the “Okayama Marathon 2025” held a women-focused running workshop at the Okayama Dome in Kita Ward, Okayama City. The event, led by Yuko Arimori, an Olympic medalist in women’s marathon and the marathon’s special ambassador, aimed to boost female participation, which typically accounts for only 20% of total entries.
The workshop attracted 107 women aged 18 to 69 from six prefectures, including Okayama and Hiroshima. Arimori demonstrated exercises to strengthen core and leg muscles, emphasizing the importance of using abdominal muscles to reduce strain on the legs. She also advised participants to focus on exhaling to avoid unnecessary tension while running. Participants had the opportunity to run alongside Arimori inside the dome, receiving personalized guidance.
A 61-year-old office worker from Okayama City, preparing for her third full marathon, shared that the session eased her concerns about maintaining a training routine. She appreciated learning that simple activities, like climbing stairs, could be effective preparation.
The workshop is part of broader efforts to encourage female participation. Registration for the marathon, which includes 13,000 spots for the full marathon and 1,400 for the 5.6-kilometer fun run, remains open until May 19.
For more details, visit the official article here.
