Runner’s stations (sometimes abbreviated to “runsute” in Japanese) are facilities where city runners can do things like change clothes and shower, and a new runner’s station called “RUN BASE SAPPORO” opened in SAPPORO EXCEL HOTEL TOKYU. Eleven people visited on the October 2nd opening day and enjoyed running together with Lillehammer Winter Olympics Nordic combined team medalist Abe Masashi.

This runner’s station was set up by the “Sapporo Global Sports Commission”, a non-profit organization run by entities including the Sapporo City government. Runners can shower and change clothes in gender-separated unused hotel rooms for 500 yen per usage. To make usage convenient for guests staying at the hotel on business trips and the like, rental shoes and jogging wear are also available for a fee.

On the opening day, participants ran to the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium and back with Abe at the front. A participant named Yabe from Nishi Ward commented, “I have wanted to have a runner’s station in Sapporo, just like the area around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, so I am so happy.”

The runner’s station will be open until the end of March of next year. Another station will also be open from October 18 to November 28 in the Sapporo City Nakajima Sports Center (Chuo Ward). Running events are also being considered. The Commission will decide on the operation plan for the next fiscal year (April onward), taking into consideration how much the stations have been used.