When South Hadley native Zach Hine crossed the finish line of April’s Boston Marathon as the top American finisher, he thought of Japan.
The Boston Athletic Association and organizers of Japan’s Ohme-Hochi 30-kilometer race have exchanged top athletes since the 1970s.
Male and female winners from the Ohme-Hochi are sent to the Boston Marathon, and a “leading U.S. athlete” runs in Japan, according to the BAA.
“The two race organizations and athletes share a mutual respect for the international competition and this exchange also helps both gain a greater understanding of each culture,” BAA head coach & Elite Athlete Programs Director Michael Pieroni wrote in an email.
Hine was selected because he finished 10th at the 2016 Boston Marathon.
“When I realized last year that I had placed top American, that was actually one of the first things I thought about,” Hine said. “I’ve been looking forward to the race in Japan for a long time.”
Hine, who lives and works as an engineer at an oil and gas company in Dallas, will be home this weekend and training on familiar roads.
The former champion runner at South Hadley High School will be the guest speaker at Sunday’s Fall 2016 Gazette All-Star Banquet, 1 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.
“It’s a three-hour flight — long enough where it’s not something you can do that often,” Hine said. “One thing I realized being down in Texas is they don’t have the same scenery as Massachusetts does. That’s something that I miss.”
Hine’s had training partners who have run the Ohme-Hochi before and was excited to be selected by the BAA.
The Feb. 19 race, its 51st edition, won’t be the first time Hine has run in Japan.
He went shortly after college in 2009 and 2010 to participate in relay races called “ekidens.” He ran 8 kilometers both times, short of the 30K he’ll cover in February.
“I at least know a little bit of what to expect. I’m looking forward to it,” Hine said. “That sort of distance will definitely be a jump up.”
In addition to the racing, Hine enjoys experiencing a culture markedly different from America’s. Climbing or hiking around Mount Fuji is on Hine’s list if he gets the chance.
“The history, the culture in general, their shrines, their cuisine, everything in general I’ve always found really interesting,” Hine said.
The Ohme-Hochi will only be Hine’s third race since the Boston Marathon. He won the City of Lakes Half Marathon in September in preparation for the Twin Cities Marathon in October.
That didn’t go as well. He dropped out after 14 or so miles.
“I just wasn’t feeling good that day,” Hine said. “Training went really well. I think my body just got a little over-trained, a little tired.”
Since then he’s refocused his training with two goals in mind. He wants to show well at the Ohme-Hochi but has Boston in his sights.
“Boston’s obviously the focus, but I also want to represent well when I’m over there,” Hine said.
He’s done that by adding more speed work to his repertoire. Once he runs in Japan, Hine will dial in for two months of full marathon training.
“It would be hard on my body to do a full training segment for that race and keep it going for two more months,” he said. “I’m going to mix it up, do some speed stuff, so I can still come back and train fresh for the full marathon.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com.