Tue, Nov 26, 2024 | Updated 12:05 IST
Watermelon road race oragnised in Japan
Aug 29, 2019
Chiba (Japan), Aug 29 (ANI): Watermelon is the most beloved summer fruit in Japan. Tomisato is a town in Chiba Prefecture of Japan. The town is well known for growing high quality watermelons. From the last 36 years, Tomisato has been holding this running festival to celebrate the red fruit’s harvest. Visitors from all across Japan come to Tomisato to run and eat this. Some runners and spectators took full advantage of the watermelon theme, by dressing in green, red, and black. Despite the discomfort, runners bravely put on their best impression of a watermelon. Like the unique costumes, Tomisato’s watermelons have a unique history. The running festival is a way for the local agricultural setup to showcase the year’s harvest and sell watermelon to tourists coming to participate in the road race. Many participants were interested in the all-you-can-eat watermelon provided at the end of the race. Some runners also brought watermelon back to their home as a souvenir. The race has different levels to suit all age groups, making it a family friendly event. Children and adults competed in different competitions. Winners received a figurine symbolizing the Tomisato road race, named Tomichan. The town will continue to promote a healthy lifestyle of exercise and nutrition through their mascot Tomichan.