The Sapporo Cross-Country Day: Huskies run their way to Wellness

Many of you might know that the Outdoors is one of HIS’s pillars. It is what makes us special as a school. After all, we are surrounded by some of the best four-season outdoors in all of Japan. But I imagine that most of you may not realize that our most well-known pillar is actually situated beneath another: Wellness. 

Wellness is the active process of making choices that support a healthy, balanced, and fulfilling life. It goes beyond physical health to include emotional, social, intellectual, and environmental well-being. At our school, wellness means nurturing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—so that students and staff can thrive, build resilience, and contribute positively to our community. And this year, we will be promoting Wellness in all forms, including the joy we get from running through the most beautiful park in Minami-ku (perhaps Hokkaido)!

On Friday, September 26th, Student Huskies from ages 5 to 19 (plus parents!) ran 1 kilometer, 2 kilometers, or 3 kilometers through beautiful Makkomanai Park. The event is a long-standing tradition at HIS and has been organized for the past five years by our Athletic Director, Justin Rankin. It is none other than Mr. Rankin who began a new tradition. 

“Who are we?”
“We are Huskies!”

The ring of youthful voices, in enthusiastic support of our school symbol, is about the only thing that might pale the gorgeous day of personal challenges and personal bests that our Huskies overcame and set at Cross-Country Day 2025. 

Please enjoy a few photos, courtesy of the Publications Team, with support by Ms. Mayo. Look for more photos through our shared Google Album! 

And for those who not only got to cheer on our runners but ran the park as well, thank you for being a Husky who supports our mission of Wellness for all! A huge component of Wellness is being outside, surrounded by nature!

So much better to be out in the park than with our eyeballs glued to a screen!