A pair of 10-kilometer races were held in the western Japanese city of Osaka on Friday to mark 100 days to go until the opening of a world exposition in the city.

The event was organized by the Osaka Association of All Athletics, among others. It took place at Yumeshima, the site of the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which opens on April 13.

The expo symbol was visible in the large circular ring roof of the expo hall as runners made their way around the site.

There was a race in the morning and another in the afternoon.

In the morning, about 1,600 runners from across the country took off as Deputy Chairperson of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Matsumoto Masayoshi fired the starting gun.

A 43-year-old runner from nearby Nara City was decked out in the costume of the official character, Myaku-Myaku. He said he wanted to see the ring roof up close, and also wanted to feel the sea breath during the race.

A 20-year-old runner from Osaka City said she was looking forward to the expo's opening in 100 days. She said she wanted to go with her friends and family.

Matsumoto, who is also chair of the Kansai Economic Federation, said ticket sales have been slow, and the level of interest across the country differs by region.

He said he wants to see country pavilions, considered to be the main attractions of the expo, come to life through close coordination with the participating countries. He said events will be held to build momentum in the run-up to the opening day.