Mara Yamauchi
The Shine On! Marathon Challenge is in full-stride as we head into Tokyo’s big race day on the 28th of February and we are grateful to have the support of Mara Yamauchi once again this year! Mara is a world-class marathoner and a world-class friend of the Tyler Foundation. We are pleased to recognize her as our February Stellar Volunteer for her contributions over the last three years. Kim Forsythe said, “We are so incredibly lucky to have had Mara's support over these years. She's like a ‘goddess’ to any serious runner. What an honor! But beyond her fame, talent and discipline is a person who really understands what the Tyler Foundation aims to do and why. And hence, we are doubly lucky to have her on our Tyler Team!”.
Mara became involved with the Tyler Foundation through Nick Johnston and Mark Ferris who asked her and husband, Shigetoshi Yamauchi, to be involved in the first Shine On! Marathon Challenge. Mara told us they’ve been helping out with the event ever since because of “the Tyler Foundation's cause - helping children with cancer and their families – it is very important. We all know people affected by cancer and when it strikes children it's especially difficult for the children and their families. So we're very happy to be helping such a good cause.”
“But it's not just the cause - the Tyler Foundation is such a dynamic organization that is going places, so it's great to be involved. Running marathons means giving your all - it's very tough! - and we're happy to help people who are doing that for a good cause.” There are many intangible benefits to being involved with non-profit organizations, and Mara noted that the Tyler Foundation, “brings together Japanese and non-Japanese people in a relaxed, fun, and friendly environment. When living in a foreign country it can sometimes be difficult integrating into your adopted home, but organizations like the Tyler Foundation make it so much easier to make friends, and feel at home in your 'home from home'.”
Mara recalled one occasion at Yoyogi Park that really captures the essence of her involvement with the Tyler Foundation and the Shine On! Marathon Challenge. They were “running in the snow in Yoyogi Park one week before the Tokyo Marathon 2008. It was freezing but everyone turned out for their final tune-up training session and to swap last-minute tips for race day -- luckily no-one fell over!” Mara well understands the blood, sweat and tears that go into ‘fighting the good fight.’ A graduate of Oxford University with a Masters degree from the London School of Economics, she is currently on leave from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) diplomatic corps. In Tokyo for the FCO, Mara met and married Shigetoshi, a legal professional. It was her dream to be a full-time athlete and with Shige’s strong support she has been able to focus fully on that dream.!”
Accomplishments have abounded! Mara has won long-distance events in the United Kingdom, Japan and United States, and represented Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics, finishing sixth. She won the Osaka Ladies Marathon in January 2008, and in April 2009 at the London Marathon, Mara achieved a personal best of 2:23:12. She is currently ranked 6th in the world among all female marathoners.
Mara and Shige love to cook and Mara is particularly proud of having learned how to make oyaki from a friend in Nagano. “Oyaki are small dumplings with various fillings inside and one of my favorite Japanese dishes to cook at home. Shige is a much better cook than me - when I'm training hard I'm lucky that I can leave him in charge of the kitchen!”
Mara reports that her training and racing routine means that “sadly we haven't been able to enjoy many other activities with the Tyler Foundation,” though we are happy for the wonderful support that Mara provides when time permits! Mara and Shige, avid mountain-walkers, have “enjoyed meeting all the Shine On! Marathon Challenge runners and their families at marathon-related events -- and being inspired by them! Kim and the whole Tyler Foundation team says “Thank you, Mara for inspiring us all in so many ways!” Gambatte!
Visit Mara’s official website: http://marayamauchi.blogzine.jp/