On February 29, 2024, at the Kyoto Racecourse in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, there was an endurance race for nearby Akichika Elementary School. Children ran as fast as they could across the fluffy grass at the racetrack, which underwent major renovations last spring.
The racecourse is renting space to local children in order to get familiar with it. According to the Japan Racing Association (JRA), it is the only racetrack in the country to hold an endurance race for elementary school students. The event was held for the first time in five years, following the coronavirus pandemic and a construction period of approximately two and a half years.
Approximately 420 students participated on this day, with 1st to 3rd year students running one lap and 4th to 6th year students running two laps around the 1.5km obstacle course. The children ran as hard as they could while being yelled at by teachers and parents watching from outside the course, saying things like ''Do your best, do your best'' and ''Go for the last spurt.'' The winning third-grade student (age 9) said with a smile, ''My feet sank on the grass, but it felt good to run while looking at the fountain.''
