Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. Kanpei Hazama, Japan’s leading runner and comedian, has been selected as the starter for the 23rd Ishigaki Island Marathon! There will also be a talk show at the networking event.

[Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd.] Kanpei Hazama, Japan’s leading runner and comedian, has been selected as the starter for the 23rd Ishigaki Island Marathon! Talk show at the exchange meeting ​
Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. Press release: October 30, 2025 To Members of the Press Kanpei Hazama, “Japan’s leading runner and comedian,” has been selected as the starter for the 23rd Ishigaki Island Marathon! There will also be a talk show at the networking event. Kanpei Hazama, general manager of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, will be appearing at the Ishigaki Island Marathon, which will be held in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, and will serve as the starter on the day of the race. Kanpei Hazama is known for completing the Earth Marathon, an epic challenge in which he ran a marathon and sailed around the world, and for the Yodogawa Kanpei Marathon, which he initiated and continues to run today, and is known as “Japan’s leading runner comedian,” gaining support from runners all over the country. On the day of the race, he will send runners off with a smile as the starter, and will also hold a talk show at the social gathering held after the finish line, where he will enjoy interacting with participants. Kanpei Ma・Comment
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I will be participating in the 23rd Ishigaki Island Marathon. As the starter, I’ll be pushing all the runners forward with all my might. I’ll be wishing all runners the best of luck, livening up the venue with talk shows and other events, and I’m really looking forward to interacting with the people of Ishigaki Island. I’m really looking forward to interacting with everyone there. Let’s make the race a success together! I look forward to seeing you on Ishigaki Island. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Born on July 20, 1949 in Kochi Prefecture. In 1970, he joined Yoshimoto Shinkigeki as a trainee. In 1974, he was promoted to the head of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki at the young age of 24. A legend who took the world by storm with gags such as “A-me-ma-,” “Ahe-e,” and “Kai-no,” bringing Shinkigeki to the living rooms of modern Japanese households. In recognition of his production skills in completing the Earth Marathon, a circumnavigation of the globe by yacht and marathon, and discovering young talent such as Einstein through the theater troupe “Maza,” he was appointed Yoshimoto Shinkigeki’s first general manager on February 9, 2022. Ishigaki Island Marathon Overview
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/29501/4537/29501-4537-cf3b4b71002a7ed59d43cf2e347ecfe7-630×577.jpg Name: 23rd Ishigaki Island Marathon Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026 Location: Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture Events: 1. Full Marathon (42.195km) 2. 10km 3. 10km Relay (5 people per team, 2km per person) – First 50 teams to arrive ※Applications for the 10km Relay have reached capacity and are now closed 4. Half Marathon (21.6km) Application Period: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025 Official website: https://www.ishigakijima-marathon.jp/ Apply:
https://www.ishigakijima-marathon.jp/entry/ [Schedule for the day] Participants gather at: 7:35 AM / Opening Ceremony: 7:40 AM Start of Event: 1. Full Marathon: 8:00 AM / 2. 10km 3. 10km Relay: 8:30 AM / 4. Half Marathon: 9:00 AM End of Event: 3:00 PM automatically, so please do not reply.