Taking tradition a step beyond

This fruit farmer in Ehime Prefecture holds a Guinness World Record.

But the record has nothing to do with the citrus fruits he grows.

Yuya Shimizu has the fastest time running a 100-kilometer (about 62 miles) ultra-marathon…while wearing traditional Japanese geta.

He set the record in 2015, and says running in the clog-like footwear was very challenging.

During the race the teeth on the soles of his sandals were largely worn away.

Shimizu then set his sights on an even tougher task.

Yuya Shimizu / “I’m going to run a marathon in the Sahara Desert.”

And, of course, for the fun of it, the 38-year-old is going to compete wearing geta.

Before the race, Shimizu goes to try on his new racing footwear.

They were made by the craftsmen Makio and Yasuaki Miyabe.

Shimizu is impressed with the geta and how they fit.

The Miyabe brothers have been designated master traditional craftsmen by the prefecture. They’ve been making geta for half a century.

They’ve crafted two sets of geta. They’re designed to withstand the harsh punishment of desert running.

As the big day looms, it is Shimizu and his geta against Morocco’s Sahara Desert.

The marathon (Marathon des Sables) is billed as the world’s most grueling foot race. For seven days, runners brave incredible temperatures and terrain.

Yuya Shimizu / “The race is about to start. This is what I’m going to race in.”

Shimizu’s choice of footwear sparks conversations with other runners.

And they’re off!

The first leg is 30.3 kilometers (about 18 miles).

Shimizu battles the elements.

Yuya Shimizu / “The terrain is surprisingly gravelly. You can’t just run, you have to use your head too.”

He finishes the first day without incident.

Things continue to go well…until day three, when he encounters a problem.

Yuya Shimizu / “Look at what has happened to my geta.”

With five days left, his geta are already taking a beating.

With tape and other means he manages to make them to last to day four.
But the terrain takes its toll and he’s forced to change into his spare set of geta.

Yuya Shimizu / “Thank you geta for your help. Now, I’m going wear these.”

He continues racing into the night navigating in the darkness.

Ultimately, he completes the longest stage.

At long last, he welcomes the final day. He is ready to enjoy the homestretch.

His geta have withstood the Sahara, and after seven grueling days traversing more than 250 kilometers Shimizu approaches the finish line.

Tanned and triumphant Shimizu completes the race.

Having conquered the Sahara, he will no doubt soon be looking for an even more extreme geta adventure.

Yuya Shimizu / “It’s really great the way that people laugh and react. It’s fun doing something off-the-wall. That’s really the best. I’m going to keep on running.”

Видео Taking tradition a step beyond канала Nippon TV News 24 Japan