Martin Feinberg, Culver City Realtor, was pleased to learn that Ricardo Galiano and Erin Okawa, both local marathoners representing the Culver City Sister City Committee (CCSCC), conquered the difficult 26th annual Senshu Marathon with personal records. The Senshu marathon took place in Osaka Japan on February 17.
Ricardo Galiano recorded a time of 3 hours and 21 minutes, while Erin Okawa recorded a personal best of 3 hours and 24 minutes. Okawa managed the impressive time despite suffering from a hip injury.
The athletes were part of the annual marathon exchange between CCSCC and its sister city of Kaizuka in Japan. As part of the exchange two runners from Kaizuka will compete in the upcoming Los Angeles Marathon in March.
Galiano average 7:42 minutes per mile. He was impressed with the challenges of the Osaka course.
Galiano stated, “This race tested me in ways I had never been tested before. Climbing those two monster bridges, twice, at the end of the race required every bit of ounce of energy and determination I had left.”
As sister city guests, Galiano and Okawa were shown different cultural highlights in areas of Japan. These included Nara, famous for its friendly deer, and Kyoto, with its gorgeous landscape and shrines.
“This trip was nothing short of extraordinary,” Galiano said. “The city of Kaizuka and its people’s hospitality, kindness, and attention to detail were truly amazing. I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life.”
Okawa was also very impressed with the experience.
“The country is so beautiful, and the people so kind,” Okawa said. “I had a wonderful time, and memories for a lifetime.”
The Kaizuka International Friendship Association (KAIFA) sponsors the exchange in Japan. This association works with CCSCC as well as Culver City’s El Marino Elementary School and Japanese Language magnet programs.
Galiano and Okawa will be hosting two Kaizuka runners for the upcoming L.A. Marathon on March 24. At that time CCSCC will also host several meet-and-greet events with the Japanese runners in and around the Culver City Real Estate area.
For more experiences, Martin Feinberg, Realtor, suggests visiting the CCSCC Facebook page and CulverCitySisterCityCommittee.org.