This year’s Tokyo Marathon is scheduled to be held on March 22nd and marks its 3rd anniversary. The expected number of participating runners continues to increase every year. More than 250,000 people entered this year, but only 35,000 were lucky enough to win the draw to run. That means almost 85% of all the applicants will not be able to run that day.
For those who didn’t get the chance to be a part of this remarkable sporting event, an associated “VIRTUAL” game site has been launched by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, which is famous for manufacturing the Pocari soft drink. Otsuka is one of the sponsors for this year’s “REAL” event.
You may create your own athletic avatar from a selection of 69 faces, 74 bodies and various patterns of sportswear. Your avatar can run the course of the Tokyo Marathon, during which you can enjoy looking at popular sightseeing spots in the city, such as the Tokyo Tower and the Kaminarimon gate. The website has some SNS-related features and allows you to exchange yells with other runners as well.
How about visiting Tokyo and running around the city virtually without paying any travel expenses in this economic situation in which the Japanese Yen is strong compared to other currencies?
No additional software is required as the site is made with Flash.
(Proofread by: Sean O’Hagan)
Masaru IKEDA
Another option: I plan to have a live (video) stream as I run the quarter marathon – just have to figure out how I’m going to attach my phone to my head so you get a good view!
@josephtame
I think you intend to use Qik (http://qik.com). For the other reader’s convenience, it’s not yet available at the AppStore but you can get it upon request to Qik.
But another problem will be risen for cellphone carriers.
http://masaru.ikeda.me/2008/10/live-stream-by-iphone-alone/