FEATURE: Japan's ultramarathons gain popularity as runners seek more than speed

Runners crossed the finish line with arms outstretched after running for half a day through forests, rivers and historic sites, their bodies drenched in sweat but their faces beaming with satisfaction.Many had set off before dawn at 4:30 a.m. for the inaugural Nara Ultramarathon in May. For them, the reward was not a fast-finishing time but the chance to spend hours taking in the scenery, sampling local food and chatting with volunteers along the course.As ultramarathons grow in popularity in Japan, many runners say the appeal lies less in chasing records than in treating races longer than …READ FULL ARTICLE