The Vulcan Runner - Birmingham Track Club

MAEBASHI
english with a British accent and boasts
French as his fourth language was holding
the welcome sign at the airport. He
crafted it himself. He didn't want us to
miss him in the crowd at the airport.
Takahashi, his boss, was shy, kind,
and helpful from the beginning and
later proved to be quite funny. He
later revealed how much he loved the
beach and disliked running. He moved
fast ensuring that we would be on time
[read: early] to each of our destinations.
Japanese folks are like boy-scouts – if
you’re early you’re on time and if you’re
on time you’re late.
Much like the other delegations that
have traveled to Maebashi, we were
hosted for five days. Our hosts showed
us the best the city had to offer: including
a trip to the Kokeshi Doll Factory,
the Akagi Shrine where we prayed for
a safe race, a Cherry Blossom Festival
where the trees were in full bloom, and
tea with Mayor yamamoto where we
exchanged gifts in thanks for hosting
us and brought an offering from Mayor
Bell of Birmingham.
We also attended a reception shortly
after arriving. We were welcomed by
our hosts, members of the International
Committee and representatives
of the Maebashi Track Club, with a
standing round of applause. There was
a formality to the evening with lots of
w w w . B i r m i n g h a m T r a c k C l u b . c o m • J U L Y 2 0 1 2
TOP: Having dinner at the Runners Welcoming Banquet with members Andre International Committee
and the Maebashi Track Club. ABOVE: Jason and Cecily Ferguson meeting friends of the BTC, Maebashi
residents who had received gifts from past delegations.
gratitude, bowing and hand shaking.
There were speeches from us and the
International Committee from Maebashi.
We had a delicious six-course
meal and exchanged gifts. This was the
group responsible for having us there.
We made many connections that night,
but Tino and [the other] Takahashi,
former guests of the Birmingham Track
Club and Vulcan 10K finishers, became
fast friends and asked to meet us the
following morning.
7
Before our touring schedule began
they showed up at the hotel to take us
on a walking tour of the City. It was
then that they showed us all of the
connections Maebashi shared with Alabama.
There was the plaque in the road
with a US map and Alabama outlined.
It was the official spot where Birmingham
became a friendship city of Maebashi.
They also showed us a stone tablet
dedicated to Samuel Ullman and his
MAEBASHI