Great Times All Around! New Graduates Participate in the “Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Tokyo”

Hello, everyone!

We joined the company in April 2024 and are members of the Public Relations Division, Social Relations Department: Saito and Hisamitsu from Team 1, and Tomita from Team 3.

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, the “Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Tokyo” was held in Marunouchi, Tokyo!

We first-year graduates also participated as runners, so we’re here to report on the experience!

The “Bloomberg Square Mile Relay” is a corporate relay running event held in the financial districts of 13 cities worldwide, including London, Dubai, New York, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

In fact, “Tokyo, Japan” was the first city to host the event this year among all participating countries! Each team consists of 10 members, with each runner covering 1 mile (1.6 km), competing for the best combined time over 10 miles (16 km).

Additionally, as each participant runs 1 mile (1.6 km), $30,000 is donated to local charity partners, making this a program where running contributes to social good.

This year’s event saw participation from 55 teams and 550 runners. SUNNY SIDE UP formed a team of carefully selected running enthusiasts and entered the Mixed category (consisting of at least 1 male and at least 4 females).

▼Read the support team’s report here
5th Consecutive Participation! For “Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Tokyo” 2024, We Held a Serious Practice Session One Week Before & Created Original T-Shirts

▼Check out past events here
SUNNY SIDE UP Running Club Makes Its Long-Awaited Entry! “Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Tokyo” Participation Report

The usually stylish Marunouchi area was transformed into a race venue filled with excitement and energy.

Upon arriving at the venue, the first-year members participating for the first time seemed to grow quieter… (laughs)

However, our seniors were enjoying their warm-up exercises with full enthusiasm, which helped ease our nerves!

As the start time approached, the venue’s excitement grew, and team members felt both nervous and excited at the same time!

United in our Running Club original T-shirts, we formed a circle, shouted “Sunny Side~~~” “Up!!!”, and headed into the race!!!

Such a powerful start that the runners disappeared from view!

The senior who ran the first leg was so exhausted they couldn’t stand… (laughs) But the race continued regardless.

Thanks to smooth baton passes with great times, we reached 1st place in the Mixed category at one point!! Feeling some pressure but excited, the baton was passed from one teammate to another!

My fellow first-year graduate gave it their all, powered by the extraordinary atmosphere and cheers from the crowd.

Great effort!

A third-year senior who joined the Running Club as a new graduate ran with such grace. Their potential seems limitless…!

Tomita:
I had no room to spare, but I ran with everything I had!!
The senior who even noticed the camera is truly a PR professional!

SSU was responsible for the overall event management and production. After finishing our runs, our fellow first-years who were handling reception warmly welcomed us, and all our fatigue instantly disappeared! Thank you, everyone 😭

And the SUNNY SIDE UP members cheered with full energy until the very end!!

High-fiving the members who finished their runs and celebrating together, we all enjoyed ourselves in true SUNNY SIDE UP fashion and completed the race!!!

Hisamitsu, a fellow first-year who set the team’s best record in their first participation, was bursting with adrenaline!!

And the results were…?

We achieved a great time that surpassed last year’s record, placing 3rd in the Mixed category out of all 55 teams!!! 🥉

It was an amazing team filled with smiles and unity 👏👏

＜New Graduate Members’ Comments＞
Saito:
I was so happy that not only the SUNNY SIDE UP members but also the audience cheered with full enthusiasm! The experience of running through Marunouchi at full speed is something you don’t get every day, and I think I’m getting addicted to it. Personally, I feel like I haven’t run enough yet, so I definitely want to participate again next time!!

Tomita:
I was more exhausted than I imagined, but I was filled with a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in a long time!! Unlike my fellow first-year Saito, I’m not planning to participate next year… (laughs) But including the event day and practice sessions, I was able to spend meaningful time and had a lot of fun!! Thank you for all the support!

Hisamitsu:
By participating as a runner, I truly experienced the wonderful way “sports connect people”! The opportunity to run alongside seniors across generations and departments was attractive and very enjoyable!

The fun times passed by in an instant. SUNNY SIDE UP has made a fresh start with new members.

Please look forward to more “fun excitement” from us in the future!