Tokyo Marathon

THE TOKYO International Marathon was held in a downpour yesterday. Aside from the elite runners, most of the 30,000 participants ran in raincoats. I even mention this because they changed the route and the last bit of the race was in front of my house. I felt obligated to go out and watch.
    Aside from the crummy weather, marathoners are not that interesting. Eventually the leader (a Kenyan (I think) dude clad in blue) splashed by on his way to victory. A few minutes later a few more guys ran past. I decided to endure the cold until the leading female runners arrived. Only to discover that when it comes to marathoning, it is not that easy to discern gender from across the street. Most are small and skinny, male or female. Many wear long-brimmed hats pulled down over their faces.
    I eventually retreated to my home when the first of the rain-coated bunch began to trot past. What the hell, it was on TV, anyway.