In-house communication that starts with “Let’s run!”: A firsthand report on the “Running Club,” where a fun group of running enthusiasts hit the road together!

Hello! I’m Kitai from Sports, Division 3, Public Relations Division Headquarters, now in my second year as a new graduate hire.

Time flies—now that I’m in my second year, we have welcomed fresh new juniors, but I still have a lot to learn… Even so, there is something I have been continuing regularly within the company.

Yes—running.

I originally hated running with a passion (and I also have bitter memories of “punishment runs” from my student days…), but through my university experience of running in a group and enjoying it, I now find it so enjoyable that I cannot get enough of running with others.

We do not necessarily announce it every time, but as colleagues responded to calls like “Let’s run!” and “Let’s get some exercise!”, the group naturally came together—and before we knew it, it started being held regularly.

When we first started, we would run with at most three or four people, but recently—believe it or not—more than 10 people sometimes join, and it has grown into a “so happy!” running club where we can all have fun and run together.

This time, I will report on our running club, packed with “fun commotion,” where every participant is sure to head home with a smile.
*To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we conduct the activity while keeping distance from other runners and pedestrians.

First, we change and do warm-up exercises together. Once we gather at the office entrance, everyone warms up in their own way.

Some members are so motivated they even do radio calisthenics, while others use pillars to stretch thoroughly—each person warms up their body in their own style.

Once preparations are complete, we hold a quick strategy meeting to decide how far we will run.

That day, we decided to go all out and run about 15 km to Tokyo Tower!

Just hearing the distance makes it sound long, and negative comments like “No way…” and “I’m going home halfway (lol)!” popped up here and there—but since the front group had already set off, everyone started running, figuring we would think about it as we went (lol).

Led by our captain, Okumura from Sports, Division 3, we started at a brisk pace, with our division manager, Takara from Division 3, encouraging everyone from behind. At the start, we still had plenty of energy. Some seniors even ran while looking straight at the camera!

We took a short break during the run. Even when someone says, “Say cheese!”, the smiles never stop.

Just when we think we must be close to the destination… the remaining distance to the goal is still hard to see, and we hear voices saying, “It’s so far,” along the way—but no one stops. Encouraging each other with “Just a bit more!” and “You’ve got this!”, we keep running, and before we know it, we are running as “ONE TEAM.”

Just when we think we must be close to the destination…

There it is! Our destination: Tokyo Tower!

Because we were running while supporting one another, everyone’s expressions at the finish were full of truly wonderful smiles.

By the way, we even have a playful member who looks at Tokyo Tower upside down.

And the running club members—who never stop smiling!!!

Before we knew it, we had run about 15 km!! (Sweat)

Even so, the fact that everyone can finish with a smile shows that the exhilaration of running together is truly irreplaceable…!

Those who do not usually run are more than welcome! In fact, without an opportunity like this, you probably would not run, right!?

Of course, people from outside the company are also welcome to join (we will run while strictly following infection-prevention measures).

Whether you think it sounds nice even just a little, you are still hesitant about running, or you are already thinking you would love to join—why not participate once and decide after that?