Day 62 - Tokyo to San Francisco

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Previous Weeks :: Japan | China | Mongolia | Russia | Belarus | Germany | France | NYC-UK
August 1       

Today the Blue Planet Runners crossed another country off their list and celebrated Japan’s finale in Tokyo.

The Blue Planet Runners are not the only people dedicated enough to the cause to wake up in the middle of the night: Eight members of the Atsugi Kenou Rotary Club welcomed Jason Loutitt at the 4:00 a.m. exchange point as the route weaved its way into central Tokyo — they even brought Jason his favorite drink, coffee!

Jason and Mary celebrate the exchange point toast with the Atsugi Kenou Rotary Club in the wee hours of the morning.

A few hours later, Tokyo’s own Taeko Terauchi was welcomed by a warm crowd as she finished up the Japan leg at 10:00 a.m. in Tokyo’s Shiba–koen Park. As she finished up the last 100 yards, Shiri stirred the crowd, and they started chanting, “TAEKO, TAEKO!” In addition to many friends, Taeko’s family attended the ceremony, and her father, Terauchi-san, addressed the guests and talked about his happiness for her recent engagement to Jason.

Jason and Laura pose with the Atsugi Kenou Rotary Club.

Lansing and Sunila announce Brynn's hand off to Sean..

Team Yellow and Grey left Japan today to join the rest of the group who had flown earlier to San Francisco. In yet another country to spread the message, theirs is a still-united vision. The runners were especially excited about reaching San Francisco, home of the Blue Planet Run Foundation and Sean and Brynn Harrington.

Sean ran out of downtown SF accompanied by many friends all the way to the Golden Gate bridge. This was the most sought after running stretch, so he waited till the rest of his team, Brynn, Lansing, and Sunila joined him and the 4 of them ran across together. Lansing took the baton at the end of the bridge heading north into Marin accompanied by a runner and 2 bicyclists. Due to the transition from Japan, the Orange team had to cover extra distance so they each ran around 12 miles and then another 2 each.

The full team crosses the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco in the background.

Sean and Lansing perform the hand-off ceremony in front of a small gathering on the north end of the Golden Gate.