Westminster-California Branch, U.S.A. / October 2009 - Contributor: Branch Master Pankaj Rastogi

WESTMINSTER-CALIFORNIA SHORINJI KEMPO BIKE MARATHON

On Sunday October 11th, 2009 the Westminster Shorinji Kempo Branch participated in the Long Beach Bike Marathon in Orange County California.

Several Shorinji Kempo students participated in the event for the purpose of improving their health, promoting Shorinji Kempo and raising money for the Orange County Heart Foundation. The Shorinji Kempo participants created an atmosphere of fun and a sense of belonging by "Living for one's own happiness and half for the happiness for others".

Daniel Kimura, Mike Hagiwara, Lisa Umeda and Pankaj Rastogi arrived at Long Beach Convention center at 4:30am. The 26mile (42 km) bike marathon started at 6am with limited parking to accommodate the 5,100 bike enthusiasts. The participants ranged from ages 8 to 75 years old. Daniel Kimura was only one of four people that rode the entire course on a BMX bike while others rode bicycles with gears making the hills a little easier to overcome. The bike marathon ran across closed highways, along major bridges, long beach city and the beautiful California coast line.

The first 7 miles were relatively easy and the transformation of the morning darkness to day light was somewhat beautiful to see. Thousands of people lined up on the sides of the road cheering from their homes, sidewalks and cars as we rode by. California State Long Beach University students cheered us on as we rode past their university at the 15 mile marker. While Rastogi sensei's legs were starting to feel like jelly at the 17th mile marker the remainder of the Shorinji Kempo students displayed no level of fatigue. After passing a dozen people with flat tires or other bike failures, we kept hoping that we would not succumb to any type of mechanical failure. After seeing the 22nd mile marker, many of us received a sudden burst of energy to peddle as fast as we could to the finish line.

Family, kenshi and friends waited for us at the finish line. Much to our surprise marathon representatives waited at the finish line to place medals around each participant's neck that finished the marathon. After getting off our bikes for the first time in 2hrs our legs felt like rubber bands as we could not walk straight. Rastogi sensei was extremely hungry and others were quenched with thirst. There were large completion parties of music and food by the sponsors which made us mood even more festive. Going through the experience held a great sense of accomplishment of overcoming our physical and mental abilities. All of us finished the 26 mile (42km) bike marathon between 2hrs 5min to 2hrs 20min. Each student who participated in the event, also received a gift bag from the Westminster branch to further celebrate their accomplishments.

Westminster-California Shorinji Kempo Branch would like to thank Lisa Umeda kenshi who came up with the idea of the Bike Marathon and encouraged all of us to participate in the event. Kudo's also go to David Stillwell kenshi who woke up at 4am to take pictures at the various mile markers. The greatest success of the marathon is that we were able to raise over $110 for the Orange County Heart Association to continue their research for extending human life.

This day also bought back some great memories as 1 year ago many students participated in the 2008 October 5th First North American Taikai in San Jose California (Hirayama Katsuya Sensei hosted). To honor the bike marathon event we all decided to wear the North American San Jose California Taikai T-Shirts to further promote Shorinji Kempo.

We are all looking forward to the next event that our kenshi's select to promote and spread the philosophies of Shorinji Kempo; Confidence, Courage, Friendship and Contribution to Society.

Kesshu! Gassho!

Pankaj Rastogi

Shorinji Kempo Westminster-California Branch

 

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