Regular runners know the cycling and walking paths alongside Tama River are great for long, relatively flat training runs. Those who enter races in Japan know organizers normally open registration months in advance, provide a brief window for entries (popular races “sell out” within hours), and close registration months ahead of time.
The annual TELL Charity Walk & Run is different, offering both pre-registration and registration on the day, as well as a comfortable starting hour. The event also provides a chance to run 5K or 10K on a fast, flat course. It is a family-oriented day that supports a very good cause.
This year’s TELL Charity Walk & Run will take place on Saturday, May 28th, and all proceeds will support TELL, an accredited not-for-profit organization (NPO) with a 40+ year history in Japan, which provides confidential mental health support and counseling to the international and Japanese community.
The event comprises a 10-kilometer run, 5-kilometer run and 5-kilometer walk, with prizes awarded to the fastest runners in the 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer runs. Additional prizes will be awarded to the top three girls and boys in the 5K. The first 600 participants to check in on race morning will receive a TELL Charity Runathon t-shirt.
This year TELL is campaigning to “shatter stigma” here. Japan lags behind North America, Europe, and especially Australia (a leader) in awareness and tolerance of mental health issues. The “shatter stigma” theme of this year’s TELL Charity Walk & Run is aimed at raising awareness that mental illness is treatable, and recovery is possible when education, family, peer and community supports are available and used.
The TELL Charity Walk & Run will proceed rain or shine. Participants can register beforehand at http://tellrunathon.com/ or on-site from 8:30 am for ¥3,500 (adult), ¥2,500 (6-12 yrs old). On-site registration will take place at the Furuichiba Track and Field Stadium, accessible via Kashimada Station (Nambu line); Shin-Kawasaki Station (Yokosuka line); Yaguchinowatashi Station (Tokyu Tamagawa line).