kinders run full marathon

It was near the end of the regular evening news on Asahi TV channel. Tonight's feature was on a kindergarten (星子幼稚園) in Osaka.

The principal of the kindergarten is a 76 year-old man. But that is not the most special thing about the kindergarten.

The first thing that would strike a visitor entering the kindergarten for the first time is that the children, boys and girls, are running around shirtless.

With only a pair of little white pants on, they run around the compound doing everything from more physical activities like wiping the floor, cleaning, climbing frames to more sedentary ones like reading and drawing.

Every morning, the 76-year-old principal will lead the children in a 5 km run - this also done shirtless.

Despite it being already deep into autumn, the active children don't feel cold at all. And, none of them is forced to participate in any of the activities - yet all take part with zest.

That Mr Principal loves the children is plain to all, but he is also strict with them. Punishment is meted out to (1) trouble makers, (2) bullies and (3) those who don't greet properly.

And it is not just the children who get educated, Mr Principal educates the parents too, running seminars on parenting for parents of the children under his care. "An adult who can't greet properly cannot bring up his children well," he commented.

And once a year in autumn, Mr Principal leads his upper year children in a marathon - the full 42.195 km!!

Young Tetsuya (not his real name) was one of the 13 children in the upper year. He was determined to finish his run.

Being able to run at all is no mean feat for Tetsuya who was born with disabilities in his legs. He was 3 years old when he finally took his first very wobbly step.

Tetsuya knew that kids in this kindergarten all take part in a marathon, yet he wanted to join the school. The daily 5 km run in the morning was very difficult for him, yet slowly he built up his strength, and before the year was out, his parents were amazed to see him running 5 km everyday effortlessly.

"I will finish all 42.195 km!" Young Testuya declared.

The big day came. All the parents were down at the river to help and support. A water station is set up after every kilometre.

As the children stop for the water, Mr Principal will decide if any of the children should retire from the race.

As Testuya became more and more tired, the time came when Mr Principal asked him to retire, "From here on you are a supporter. Cheer your friends on to the finishing line."

Tetsuya was disppointed, but obeyed. Meanwhile, the rest of the children ran on with Mr Principal.

Near the finishing line, at the last kilometre mark, the focus shifts to another boy, Kohei, who is falling behind.

Kohei has always been the fastest at sprinting but now he was learning about the reality of a marathon.

Angry and disappointed with himself for falling behind everyone, he nonetheless pushed on, crying.

Finally, as the sun set, Kohei made it to the finishing line. There cheering louder than anyone else for him was Tetsuya, and waiting for young Kohei with open arms was his 76-year-old Principal.

"It is not about finishing," Mr Principal said. "Even those who don't finish learn valuable lessons in life."