The “All Japan Mamachari Five Hour Endurance Race” in which riders cruise the circuit on bicycles with shopping baskets (commonly called “mamachari-bicycles”) was held on September 5 at the Tokachi Speedway in Tokachi region’s Sarabetsu Village. Under an autumn sky, approximately 200 participants in 32 teams from around Hokkaido competed against each other for the highest number of laps on the 3.4 kilometer circuit course.

This was the 23rd race, and organized by a Planning Committee. To help prevent COVID-19 spreading, only Hokkaido residents were allowed to race, and thorough countermeasures were observed, such as disinfecting hands and bicycle handles when changing out riders.

Each team rotated from a pool of two to ten cyclists per team. Cheered on by their teammates, they all pedaled as hard as they could. Fujita Ryusei (17) from Obihiro Technical High School participated for the first time with friends. He smiled, saying, “My legs are completely tired from pedaling and I am totally beat, but it was fun.”