Tour de Tohoku Bicycle Rally Supports Recovery

Sept. 16 - Ambassador Caroline Kennedy completed 60 km of the annual Tour de Tohoku bicycle rally on Sept. 14 to support the Tohoku region's ongoing recovery from the 2011 earthquake disaster.

At the starting line at Ishinomaki Senshu University, Ambassador Kennedy said:

It's great to be here and participate in this Tour de Tohoku event. This is my third trip to the region. I've been so inspired by the strength and courage of the people here, and I'm looking forward to seeing the beautiful coastline on my bicycle.

I'm grateful to Yahoo Japan and Kahoku Shimpo for sponsoring this event and for all the hard-working volunteers who are going to help us along the way. I'm thrilled to be part of a 3,000-member team riding through Tohoku.

Thank you so much for a having me, and good luck!

At the end of her ride, Ambassador Kennedy said:

I had a wonderful time. There were so many people along the way waving and welcoming us. And the food was amazing, the scenery was amazing and the spirit of Tohoku was the most inspiring of all. I can't wait to come back next year, and maybe I'll try the 100 km course.

Thank you so much for your hospitality and your inspiration. It was a wonderful event.