Experience The Unique Miyajima Power Triathlon Held At A Cultural Heritage Location

content: The name triathlon is a combination of "tri" meaning three in Greek and "athlon" meaning competition. Japanese triathlon athletes rank second in the world. The Hatsukaichi Oudan Miyajima Power Triathlon is held at a cultural heritage site in Hiroshima.

Summary

The Hatsukaichi Oudan Miyajima Power Triathlon is held every year in Hiroshima. Athletes start their 1.5 mil (2.5 km) swim from the great “torii” or gate of Itsukushima Shrine followed by a 55 km bike race through the city of Hatsukaichi. It is concluded with a 12 mil (20km) run up the mountains north of Hatsukaichi. In Japan, the triathlon boom has been gradually growing in the last few years (2008 - 2009)

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Triathlon Was Originated From Hawaii In 1978 And Now Become A Global Hit

The name triathlon is a combination of "tri" meaning three in Greek and "Athlon" meaning competition. The three sports are swimming, bicycle and long distance running in that order by one person. Iron Man was the first triathlon first held in Oahu, Hawaii in 1978. Some others have said that San Diego was the first triathlon; however, more people agree that Hawaii was the first.

At that time, three kinds of endurance races were held in Oahu, Honolulu Marathon, Waikiki 2.4 mil ( 3.8 Km), rough water swimming, and an around Oahu 112 mil (180 Km) bike race. An army veteran named John Collins tried to combine the three toughest runs. It was the original idea in creating the triathlon.

The First Triathlon In Japan Took Place In 1981 In Tottori Prefecture

This triggered the sport of triathlon and caused it to spread gradually. By the way, Japan's first triathlon tournament was a triathlon held for everyone that took place in 1981.

However, Ironman 's distance was not an easy hurdled for ordinary people without considerable hardship. Meanwhile, international standards of 0.9 mil (1.5 km) of a swim, 24.5 mil (40 km) of a bicycle, and 6 mil (10 km) run were set in 1982, hurdles against triathlon fell considerably, and lovers increased. Later this distance was officially introduced to the Olympic Games so it will be called Olympic Distance. This tournament is the most common type in Japan.

Triathlon had become a major sport in the US in the 1980s and 1990s, and it also spread to Oceania and Europe. Currently, Iron Man in Europe and the United States has many people wishing to participate, so the capacity is filled up quickly.

In Japan, the Triathlon boom has gradually increased since in the last few years (2008 - 2009), and it has come to be that the number of tournaments where the capacity is full is increasing. In fact, as of today in 2019, there are more than forty triathlon competitions across Japan.

The Number of Athletes For Triathlon in Japan is Ranked Top Two Among All Countries. Top One Is America

As of 2013, Japan's triathlon has a population of approximately 375,000. It seems that it is about 30 times more people when compared to 30 years ago when the triathlon tournament was held for the first time in Japan. In Japan, football is popular in Japan, which is also famous for baseball, but the number of football (futsal) players is 6,375,000, baseball (including catch ball) is 8,122,000. The world population of triathletes is 2.1 million people in 2013. It has grown by 15% since 2007.
Currently, America has the top number of participants for the triathlon, which is about 550 thousand people while Japan has 360 thousand participants, ranked number two.

A Unique Triathlon Course Held At A Japanese World Heritage In Miyajima

The stage of the swim starts at a world heritage, Miyajima Temple. The swim is a one-way course that is rare in national tournaments, swimming1.5 mil ( 2.5 km) across Ohno-Sode from Miyajima in Japan, to Akishima. Looking at the oyster rafts is one of Hiroshima’s famous product. The starting point is right next to World Heritage · Itsukushima Shrine. Every year, every one of the racers will hear a lot of "I was impressed" voices.

It is 1.5 mil (2.5 km) and has a current in early July, and wearing a wet suit is essential. (The wet suit will be checked on the previous day.)

For the bike course, biking the forest road of young leaves by bicycle on a
34 mil (55 km) course from the coastal area of the Seto Inland Sea up towards the Chugoku mountains. The distance is about 34 mil (55 kilometers); however, the height difference is 850 m! However, if you are a hill climber, you ought to sprint at once in the outer area.

Finally, the running course. It is a round trip course that climbs 900 meters above the 12 mil (20 km) course. It may be the only opportunity to compete in the whole route on a course that is not a one-way course. Your strength will be revived with the help of roadside support. Because the support people are local people, they can understand what the racers are eagling through and offer their kind support.

Itsukushima Shrine Was Built On The Sea Because She Is The Goddess of the Sea

triathlon_miyajima Itsukushima Shrine was created in the latter half of the sixth century by the hand of the clan who was ruling over the area of Miyajima at that time · "Saeki Kuramoto (Saki no Kuramoto)."

Since then, Mr. Saeki, the descendant of Saeki Kuramoto (the crimson of Saeki), keeps protecting this Miyajima / Itsukushima Shinto shrine, in the form of a priestly owner.

So why is Itsukushima Shrine built not on the land but part of Miyajima built on the beach?
Miyajima with Itsukushima Shrine has long been believed as an island itself an island "God".

It was thought that God would inhabit Miyajima, so cutting Miyajima's area's trees and scraping off the earth would hurt Miyajima's land. Therefore, to avoid damaging this land, it is thought that the shrine of Itsukushima Shinto shrine and torii were built in the sea instead of the land of Miyajima.

Itsukushima Shrine Was Recognized As A Cultural Heritage In 1996

triathlon_miyajima It is a masterpiece and shows the creative talent of human beings, the scenery in which the group of buildings is lined up on the sea and the nature behind it are united
A fire hit many of the buildings in the 13th century, but they were rebuilt faithfully in the style of the period's construction, they conveyed the architectural style of the Heian period and the Kamakura period. It was evaluated in 1996, and it was registered as a cultural heritage.

What is a more special opportunity than to participate in a triathlon in a foreign country at a cultural heritage site? During the race, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, Japanese nature and get in touch with Japanese locals. This is a great unique life experience. Also, it is only held once a year. We highly encourage you to have the courage and do it.

Information

Address: Honmachi 5-1, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 738-0015 Phone: +81 829-34-4570

The date of Triathlon is not yet decided in 2019. You can go check on the official website (http://miyajimatriathlon.com/)
Regarding the admission fee, if you participate as an individual, the admission fee is about ¥30,000.

By Train
Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Zonomi from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station to Hiroshima Station. After arriving at Hiroshima station, transfer to the local JR Sanyo line to Hatsukaichi Station.

By Airplane
From Haneda airport to Hiroshima airport which takes about 2 hours and half. From Hiroshima airport, transfer to the local JR Sanyo line to Hatsukaichi Station.