International philanthropist to run in Rails to Trails Marathon

Japanese “ecomarathoner” Hajime Nishi will take part in the Rails to Trails Marathon on Sunday in Norwalk. (Contributed photo)

By JOSIE JENSEN | County Line Reporter

The Rails to Trails Marathon will mark its 10th anniversary this year, and to celebrate, the event will host Hajime Nishi of Japan, a philanthropist, an author and the founder of a philosophy called “ecomarathon.”

Nishi, 68, began his life studying architectural design in Kyoto, Japan, and quickly discovered a love of travel by the age of 21, when he traveled by train, boat and plane and even hitchhiked across 15 European nations.

Over the next few years, he continued his studies and travels, traveling to 100 countries on five continents, eventually meeting his wife, beginning a family, and founding his own company, Nishi Films Inc.

In 1987, Nishi lost his wife to cancer, leaving him a single father of three children. This devastating time in his life led him to various personal-growth seminars across the globe, where he learned and practiced different spiritual and physical exercises. This morphed into a new philosophy he called “ecomarathon.”

Ecomarathoning combines the health benefits of running or walking a marathon along with being in touch with the environment you are in. Instead of running a marathon with the intent of winning or beating previous times, Nishi spends his time picking up trash along the way, smiling, laughing, and talking with other participants, sharing his message of peace throughout the world.

In 1997, he completed seven marathons on seven continents in seven months, leading to a record created just for him in the Guinness Book of World Records, “The world’s fastest time to run a marathon in each of seven continents.” Within a few years, he had completed marathons in 50 U.S. states and more than 50 countries.

After 14 years as CEO, Nishi dissolved his company and devoted himself to spreading ecomarathon’s peaceful, recycling-oriented society with the world. He has since become an author, publishing “Ecomarathon Data Book,” a compilation of 255 marathons in 54 countries, and, in Japanese, “Losing is Winning,” a book about slow-running philosophy.

In Inba, Japan, Nishi also organized Eco-Slow Marathon, the world’s first slow marathon, in which instead of racing others, you run for peace and work together to pick up trash along the route, leaving the world a more beautiful place.

Nishi averages five marathons a month, with a goal of finishing 1,000 marathons in 250 countries by his 100th birthday in 2049.

♦ ♦ ♦

The Rails to Trails Marathon will be Sunday, Oct. 8, with the starting and ending point in the Norwalk Village Park.

Participants will travel a scenic stretch of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail to a turnaround point and be able to stop at various volunteer-operated aid stations along the way.

The event will offer a full marathon, half marathon, 5K, and one-mile fun run for any willing runner or walker.

All proceeds from the Rails to Trails Races go back into the community in the form of scholarships, donations, and maintenance of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. 

For more information on the Rails to Trails Marathon, visit www.railstotrailsraces.com.

 

 



Comments are closed.

  • Strains of spring 

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    Brookwood Junior/Senior High School hosted its spring concert Thursday.  Esther Wooten and Drew Powell provide percussion for the senior high […]


    Pretrial conference for Barton yields no updates, more charges possible

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    Monday’s pretrial conference for former Wilton clerk/treasurer Leigha Barton, who was charged in January with counts related to embezzlement from the village, resulted in no new developments, according to Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger. 


    Royall hires new principal

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    Kole Huth will serve as the new Royall Middle School/High School Principal, the board of education decided at its meeting Monday. 


    Crowd attends meeting on Ontario development projects

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    No one quite expected the crowd of about 25 people to show up at Monday evening’s Ontario’s regular monthly board meeting. What drew so much interest was a hearing held about the new 12-unit apartment building under construction on Church Street.


    Kendall OK’s $2.1 million downtown project

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    Kendall approved a $2.1 million downtown (South Railroad Street) infrastructure project, which will occur in conjunction with the state’s reconstruction of Highway 71, at its regular meeting Monday. 


  • Norwalk police chief resigns

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    After nine years with the village, Police Chief David Jones submitted his resignation to the Norwalk Village Board, which it accepted at its Tuesday meeting. 


    N-O-W School Board approves expenditures, applications for college-credit program

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    The N-O-W School Board approved student applications to Brookwood’s fall college credit program totaling a little over $27,000 in tuition and materials.


    Wilton board candidates take part in reception

    March 8th, 2024
    by

    On Saturday, the Wilton Public Library hosted an open reception with the candidates for the Wilton Village Board.


    Royall boys earn first conference title in 11 years

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    The Royall boys basketball team clinched the Scenic Bluffs Conference title outright with a win over Bangor 53–37 on Feb. 22.


    Royall girls gain first regional title in 47 years

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    The Royall girls basketball team marked history in its program, as the team earned its first regional title since 1977.


    Wilton, N-O-W work out details of softball-field project

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    To refine an agreement allowing the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District to use Wilton’s new softball field, school representatives met with the Wilton Village Board on Tuesday. 


  • Archives