So I ran the race. It was one of the hardest things I have done. It didn't help that I wasn't in fabulous shape either. I will be better prepared next year. And that it how good it was. I am going back.
So, I didn't win the 150 kg of rice. I was one finishing number away from winning the draw prize for a trip to Hawaii. I placed 204th of around 480 entries. I think, to be honest, that I need to qualify this by saying that some people were wearing costumes. I don't think, however, that anyone wearing a costume beat me.
This race was only 3.5 km long and was an obstacle course that simulates the winter defences of a Japanese castle in battle. I had to climb walls of snow, scrape my way along on a sled for a bit, climb a 5 meter high fence, scale a pyramid of snow, cross a ravine on a flying fox and use a rope to help myself climb up a nearly straight incline.
It was quite tough going at first. It had rained the night before, and the day of the race it was 10C so the snow was slushy, soft and the texture of large granules of sugar. The first kilometer had snow that varied from ankle deep to knee deep in places. It was kind of scary to suddenly sink in up to one's knees. I did ok in the running part I guess. I was more worried about twisting an ankle than going fast at this point. My downfall was the walls of snow. I learned that I can't climb well. A few people helped me out mainly to get me out of the way, I think. I returned the favor and pulled them up behind me. At this point, I realized I was going to do well just to finish. Race organizers required us to wear hard-hats, and I was barely able to see for the sweat stinging my eyes. I wanted to finish, be uninjured and have fun. Also, not be last.
People were super friendly and while there was a competitive spirit, there was also a lot of cooperation and encouragement from fellow competitors. The small mountain town of Matsudai did a great job of organizing the even and the festival that went with it.