Society | Jun 04

Marathon held amid bear scare

Jun 04 (NHK) - Hundreds of runners have carried small bells to scare away bears during a marathon on a small island in northern Japan.

About 600 people took part in the 54-kilometer race on Sunday on Rishiri Island off the northern coast of Hokkaido.

Brown bears are not supposed to exist on the island, but residents found footprints and dung last week. Officials say a bear may have come to Rishiri by swimming across the sea.

The organizer says no bears were spotted during the marathon. A local official said he is relieved that the event ended without incident, and the authorities will stay on the alert ahead of the peak tourism season.

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