People in relay to rebuild disaster-hit areas

People in relay to rebuild disaster-hit areas

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - TV personality Makoto Nonomura (front) and others in a relay from the northern Japanese city of Aomori to Tokyo to promote the reconstruction of areas hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami run past the disaster prevention government building site in Minamisanriku town, Miyagi Prefecture, on July 29, 2014. Around 900 people run or cycle on the 1,238-kilometer course, divided into 165 zones.

People in relay event pray for victims of 2011 disaster

People in relay event pray for victims of 2011 disaster

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - Runners bow their heads in front of the disaster prevention government building site in Minamisanriku town, Miyagi Prefecture, on July 29, 2014, in memory of the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, during a relay event from the northern Japanese city of Aomori to Tokyo to promote the reconstruction of areas hit by the disaster. Around 900 people are running or cycling the 1,238-kilometer course, divided into 165 zones.

Olympic champ Takahashi in relay for rebuilding disaster-hit areas

Olympic champ Takahashi in relay for rebuilding disaster-hit areas

AOMORI, Japan - Olympic marathon champion Naoko Takahashi (R) takes part in a relay event from the northern Japanese city of Aomori to Tokyo to promote the reconstruction of areas hit by the March 11, 2011, disasters. Around 900 people will run or cycle on the 1,238-kilometer course, divided into 165 zones.

Olympic champ Takahashi in relay for rebuilding disaster-hit areas

Olympic champ Takahashi in relay for rebuilding disaster-hit areas

AOMORI, Japan - Olympic marathon champion Naoko Takahashi (R) takes part in a relay event from the northern Japanese city of Aomori to Tokyo to promote the reconstruction of areas hit by the March 11, 2011, disasters. Around 900 people will run or cycle on the 1,238-kilometer course, divided into 165 zones.

People in relay event pray for victims of 2011 disaster

People in relay event pray for victims of 2011 disaster

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - Runners bow their heads in front of the disaster prevention government building site in Minamisanriku town, Miyagi Prefecture, on July 29, 2014, in memory of the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, during a relay event from the northern Japanese city of Aomori to Tokyo to promote the reconstruction of areas hit by the disaster. Around 900 people are running or cycling the 1,238-kilometer course, divided into 165 zones. (Kyodo)