Martin Feinberg, Realtor, was excited to learn that two athletes have been chosen to take part in the 26th annual Shenshu Marathon on February 17 in Osaka, Japan.
According to Nancy Joujon-Roche of the Culver City Sister City Committee (CCSCC), “Ricardo Galiano and Erin Okawa have been chosen to represent Culver City as guests of our Sister City, Kaizuka City in Japan.”
The runners will fly to Kaizuka in the middle of February to compete in the annual Shenshu Japan road race. Last year, Jessica Dorsey, from the Culver City Real Estate area, won the 25th annual marathon.
As part of the exchange, later in the year Galiano and Okawa will host two Japanese runners from Kaizuka for the March 2019 Los Angeles Marathon. The Culver City–Kaizuka Marathon Exchange has been taking place for more than 25 years. Some past participants have been Culver City mayors, employees, and residents, Joujon-Roche stated.
Galiano is 42, has two children, and is an IT director. He has completed four marathons.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be part of this fantastic running and cultural exchange,” Galiano said. “I’m humbled and grateful by the opportunity that has been bestowed upon me by our beautiful cities.”
Okawa is a pediatric endocrinologist at UCLA and this will be her second marathon.
“I am very grateful to the Culver City Sister City Committee for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and am excited to be a participant in such a wonderful event,” Okawa told CCSCC officials. “It goes without saying that I will run this race to the best of my ability and hope to make the city proud.”
Local listing agent notes that all marathoners, road racers and long-distance competitors are invited to participate in the Sister City marathon exchange. Any and all interested racers can contact the Culver City Sister City Committee at ccscc.inc@gmail.comfor more information
