The Knights in White Lycra (KIWL) is a well-established volunteer group that organizes sports events such as cycling, walking, golf, running and futsal to support charities. This year, KIWL invites you to join their annual Go-Go 30-Day Run or Walk Challenge during the month of November. Under the slogan of “Get Fit and Give Back,” the challenge shows how rewarding this experience is—exercising while raising funds for charity, and pursuing prizes. Each participant has the choice to either walk or run a target distance of 55 kilometers by the end of the month—around 1.8 kilometers or 2,400 steps a day.
To increase your distance and to get even more engaged, on Sunday November 12, an in-person Ecomarathon Go-Go Run & Walk Festival will be held on the Kawasaki side of the Tama River at Futakotamagawa. For those under 18 who wish to participate, you are encouraged to take part with parental permission. The funds collected through registration will be given to Mirai no Mori, a charity which works with and provides opportunities to disadvantaged children.
How to Join the Run
1. Sign Up
To officially participate in this event, you first need to fill out a form and fill in your name, email, and age.
To enter the in-person Ecomarathon Go-Go Run & Walk Festival on Sunday November 12, fill out either of the following:
English
Japanese
To learn more about the virtual and in-person events visit: https://www.kiwl.net/events/go-go-run
2. Donate
A minimum of ¥5,500 is required to be eligible to participate in the virtual event. However, if you are a student up to university age, the donation requirement is discounted to ¥2,000.
For the in-person event—which features half-marathon (21k), 10k, and 5k family distances—separate entry fees of between ¥2,700 to ¥4,700 depending on the run/walk distance will be required. The Ecomarathon will donate all of the entry fees to Mirai no Mori.
3. Record Your Running and Walking
You can record your running/walking activity from November 1–30 using a GPS-enabled sports app. On Sunday, November 12, you also have the opportunity to increase your distance and enjoy the company of other runners during the KIWL x Mirai no Mori x Ecomarathon Go-Go Run & Walk Festival.
Why You Should Join
Mirai no Mori is a charity that aims to provide abused, neglected, and orphaned children in Japan with life-changing outdoor programs. Aligning with philanthropy of KIWL, it was founded upon the vision to create a society where all young people have equal opportunities.
Raffle prizes will be awarded during the month of December. To be eligible for these prizes, all you have to do is walk/run at least 55 kilometers during the month of November. However, no matter what distance you reach, everyone will be entered into the prize draw. Participants who reached specific achievements—such as those who complete a specific distance goal or make additional donations—will be given extra draw chances.
For participants under the age of 18, there are certain restrictions to which prizes you may draw for.
About KIWL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSOTlSrgeBM
The Knights in White Lycra (KIWL) was formed in 2013 with an objective to raise funds in aid of the 3-11 disaster. The organization has used these funds toward recovery efforts in the Tohoku region, and going forward, marginalized children living in institutional homes across Japan. Through annual charitable events KIWL has raised over ¥145 million to support disadvantaged children as of October 2023.
Join this year’s KIWL Go-Go 30-Day Run or Walk Challenge for Charity—it’s good for you and for your community.
Recommended: Why I Ride with the Knights in White Lycra and Hope in Action: YouMeWe's Approach to Transforming Young Lives
Jake Benjamin Roiter
