Tokashiki Island Marathon: Runners and volunteers enjoy whale watching

Tokashiki Island Marathon: Runners and volunteers enjoy whale watching

Tokashiki Island Marathon participants enjoy whale watching on the southern side of Tokashiki Island on February 2.


February 5, 2014 Hideaki Yoneda, correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo

The Executive Committee of the 9th Whales Straits Tokashiki Island Marathon invited about 200 runners and volunteers whale watching from the Ferry Tokashiki on February 2. They sailed from Tokashiki Port at 1:00 p.m. and soon encountered about 20 humpback whales that were swimming between the islands of Zamami and Tonaki. A pod of whales surrounded the ferry. The participants, some holding cameras or binoculars, cheered upon seeing the magnificent spectacle of the huge whales blowing and flicking their tails on the surface of the sea.

Humpback whales show their majestic figures on the southern side of Tokashiki Island on February　2.


The government will designate Kerama Islands, known for their coral reefs, as Japan’s 31st national park on March 5. The runners and volunteers who took part in the Whales Straits Tokashiki Island Marathon enjoyed the charm of the sea in addition to the race. Miyoko Akashi, 52, from Hiroshima Prefecture, who took part in the half marathon, “I enjoyed the race while watching the beautiful sea around the island. I am very happy to see so many whales for the first time.” Junko Gushiken, 52, from Okinawa City, was excited seeing the whales. She said, “I want to tell people what a wonderful marathon and whale tour I experienced on the island.”

(English translation by T&CT)

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