This time, I was able to interview Eiichiro Omori, the Managing Director of Runtrip. While he is a full-fledged runner with an experience to participate in Hakone Ekiden, he could not really run during his student years and did not attend at all for several years after taking the university entrance exam.
Then, when Omori worked in the sports and tourism area and founded NPO Organization, he had an opportunity to provide guidance to general runners and realized “the enjoyment of running” for the first time. He came up with an entrepreneurial idea to increase the motivation other than figures such as positions, units, and distances and challenge all runners to enjoy running regardless of their age and skills.
At first, he was exploring a solution to convert his idea into reality. When he entered TOKYO STARTUP GATEWAY 2014, he met an engineer who was able to shed a light into his problems. He then opened up Runtrip Ltd. in year 2015.
Runtrip is a service to post track routes where other have been before or their favorite routes. It is possible to search whether or not there is a place to change your clothes and toilet location. In addition, the biggest feature is that you can see various texts and pictures about the condition and views in the middle of the course.
At the moment, by looking at the offered routes, there are several routes from 2KM around the inner city parks for the beginner level to a full-fledged Mt. Takao 30 km trail running course, a fun course to enjoy the night view of Yokohoma or Roppongi, and along the beach overseas. Since there are a various genres of routes accompanied by the beautiful pictures, just like a guidebook, it feels that you have run along already even you just gaze at them.
Also, Omori’s sole purpose is not only about running, but he carries a vision to bring the roads around the world to become the regional resources. He wants to offer a service which can attract customers, not because of so-called sightseeing spots, but by showing the content of the “roads”, stimulating the connection between the runner and the area.
Later on, moving towards the Olympics, he is planning to have a multilingual service to help the foreign runners find great courses around their neighborhood and run with the local Japanese runners.
Furthermore, the collaboration is with the runners at the moment but he wants to put effort in establishing a partnership with sports manufacturers. There is no doubt that Runtrip will progress rapidly towards year 2020.
