A Run to Osaka Castle Park

Thursday morning, I could go for another run in Osaka - this time to the Castle Park. 

The inner moat seen from the east side.

The plum garden - will be beautiful, soon.

The castle was considered to be the most difficult one to attack at the time.

Approached the castle from Gokurakubashi Bridge.

The original castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi - depicted in orange in this picture.  It was destroyed by Tokugawa Iyeyasu who built a larger one (blue).

The history of the castle is here.

Marugame Half Marathon

It has been 3 years since I participated in the 75th Marugame Half Marathon for events were cancelled the past 2 years due to COVID-19.

The weather was wonderful and some 7,000 runners participated.

Top runners get ready for the race.

There were many cosplayers.

We had to be checked for fever before allowed inside the stadium.

Runners waiting to be guided to the starting point.

At the starting point.

After the finish line.

The area to retrieve our stuff.

The sign for the event outside the stadium.

Sanuki udon was wonderful after the run.