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Japan-China Friendship Sports Event in Shanghai, China’s largest city, embracing the old and the new The 11th Shanghai Citizen’s Health-Promotion Festival 2006 Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon To be held on Sunday, November 26, 2006 Invitation for entries to the Full Marathon / Half Marathon / Fun Marathon (4.5km) |
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The “2006 Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon” will be held as the opening event of the 11th Shanghai Citizens’ Health-Promotion Festival on Sunday, November 26, 2006 in Shanghai, China’s largest city, which is rapidly growing to be one of the world’s major financial centers. This event will be organized by the China Athletic Sports Association and the Shanghai City Sports Federation under the special sponsorship of Toray Industries, Inc. and Toray Industries (China) Co., Ltd. The Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon Japan Office will begin accepting applications from runners who wish to participate in the marathon. |
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The Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon is a grand event befitting the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, and welcoming more than 15,000 runners from Shanghai and abroad. It will enable participants to run through Shanghai, China’s largest financial center. Every year, the marathon invites top runners from foreign countries, and offers a bonus prize for breaking the world record (full marathon) and the full marathon time limit of 6 hours, which is sure to be welcomed by participating citizens. The event will offer three races: full marathon, half marathon, and fun marathon. Runners will start from the Bund district, one of Shanghai main sightseeing spots, and run along Nanjing Road, the city’s largest main street, from east to west. The Minhang Stadium, a new sports park, is the finishing point. As there only a few gradients, runners should be able to complete the high-speed course comfortably, which is certified by the International Association of Athletic Federations. China is today anticipating the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Chinese people are showing increasing interest in the marathon as an Olympic event. The Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon was therefore recognized as one of China’s Four Major International Athletic Meets by the State General Administration of Sports last year. The marathon is comparable to the world’s major city marathons. As an event of the 11th Shanghai Citizens’ Health Promotion Festival to enhance Shanghai citizens’ mental and physical health, the 2006 Shanghai International Marathon will attract participation from a larger number of people than last year. Owing to the many attractions of Shanghai, and its close proximity to Japan, the Shanghai International Marathon is also gaining interest here, and the number of Japanese participants is increasing each year. Among them are top-class corporate runners. In the commemorative 10th marathon held last year, more than 900 runners from Japan took part, with cheering and encouragement from elementary and junior high school children, who presented dances and other performances along the route. In addition, events celebrating the 10th anniversary were held and Mizuki Noguchi, gold medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympics women’s marathon, participated in the Fun Marathon with local children, promoting friendship through running. The 2006 marathon is also anticipating participation of the best Japanese runners and will be a more exciting event than last year. The special sponsor of the Shanghai International Marathon, Toray Industries, Inc., is aggressively expanding its businesses in China. It is currently engaged in the large-scale integrated production of polyester fiber, from the production of raw material to the weaving and dyeing of the fibers, in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. Two of its most recent developments in China include the establishment of Toray Industries (China) Co., Ltd. to serve as its base for business operations in China, and the launching of a new global brand called “TOREX.” As a worldwide enterprise, Toray supports the Shanghai International Marathon in hopes of contributing to the promotion of sports and cultural exchange, not only between Japan and China but among all the world’s countries. Shanghai enjoys mild weather in late November, when this year’s marathon will be held. This is also an ideal time for sightseeing. The Bund district, with rows of stately European-style buildings and contrasting neo-futuristic skyscrapers, and the beauty of the Yuyuan, a garden created in the Ming dynasty, are two of the most attractive spots in Shanghai. With the added attraction of the city’s excellent Chinese food, participants are certain to forget their fatigue after running! The outline of the “Shanghai Citizens’ Health-Promotion Festival - 2006 Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon” is described below. Outline of “Shanghai Citizens’ Health-Promotion Festival - 2006 Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon” |
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<For more information about invitation for entries please contact:> 2006 Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon Japan Office Tel: 042-522-4881 / FAX: 042-540-1089 <For press inquiries please contact:> Kyodo Public Relations Co., Ltd. Eto or Takayama Tel: 03-3571-5228 / FAX: 03-3571-5360 |
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