Trans Japan Alps (NHK)

No canal 216 da NOS - a NHK -, que sigo regularmente, e para além dos seis torneios anuais de sumo ou das viagens pelas espectaculares linhas férreas do país, vejo este programa sobre determinadas actividades desportivas que são características do Japão. 

Neste caso, a travessia a pé! (nossa senhora, a pé!!) do país, durante dias, dormindo ao relento ou em postos específicos, passando por um obstáculo superior a que chamam os "Alpes japoneses", em condições atmosféricas dificílimas e intermitentes e - saliente-se! -, sem qualquer espécie de recompensa que não seja o gozo e gosto de suplantar (mais...) este desafio consigo próprio. 

Enfim, coisas a que este povo se dedica e que sistematicamente me surpreendem pela disciplina, pelos hábitos, pelas dificuldades que se habituaram a transpor ao longo dos tempos.

Que povo!

Trans Japan Alps Race (TJAR) is a 415 km ultramarathonwith a total elevation gain of approximately 27,000 m^[2] that takes place on roughly half roads and half trails in the Japanese Alps mountains. It has been held every other year since 2002 and is known as the most demanding race in Japan.^[3]

Despite its immense difficulty, the winner receives no prize money or awards of any kind. Competitors must carry a long list of required gear and the race is run entirely self-supported, meaning that they are responsible for carrying and resupplying all of their own water and food, and must sleep in a bivouac shelter which they carry.^[4] No pacers, crew or external support of any kind are allowed. Because of the demanding nature of the race and the small number (up to 30) of allowed competitors, the qualifying standards are higher than that of any other races held in Japan, and more stringent than most around the world.^[5] The major reason for dropping out the race is hypothermia due to severe wind and rain in the high altitude mountain regions.^[2] As participants are required to in speaking and/or reading and writing Japanese, no international competitor has run the race as of 2018.^[4]