nagano marathon 2008

I have been interested in running in Nagano Marathon sometime, but I wasn't sure when I would be registered for it. Except Nagano, there are other options;
Tokyo Marathon on February 17th,
Arakawa Marathon on March 26th,
Kasumigaura on April 20th,
and Nagano Marathon on April 20th Sunday.
According to the magazine for runners, it's the most popular one in Japan, it took only 4 days to be full by 7,000people for first registration. It's famous story that they provide secound registration on February 1st on official web-site, and it would be like a war to get be on the list.

I was so nervous to get be in... I already booked rooms for me and companions to go, but I needed to get be in definitely, otherwise go to Nagano for cheering for people? No, I can't!
It was hard job to get be on the list, I think I had good luck because I regisstered for me and my friend too... They said, it took only 15minutes to be full by 1,000 participates this time, though...
I wonder, why it's still open for only non-Japanese people? I will try to ask organizer at the registration.

According to IAAF, it's on the list as a silver class marathon.
Here is the article.