Golden Bomber drummer Kenji Tarumizake learned a hard lesson about overconfidence when he competed in Red Bull 400 on May 16 in Sapporo, Japan—a race widely considered the world's most demanding 400-meter sprint.

The event takes runners up a large ski jump hill with a maximum gradient of 37 degrees, steeper than the incline near Mount Fuji's summit. The vertical climb reaches about 130 meters, roughly the height of Sapporo TV Tower. Tarumizake participated in the creator race division alongside influencers and other content creators.

At the starting line, Tarumizake appeared confident, posing for cameras without hesitation. That swagger didn't last long. As he progressed up the course, his pace slowed considerably, and upon reaching the summit, he collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted.

In his post-race interview, Tarumizake was refreshingly honest about his preparation: "To be frank, I was underestimating it. I figured with only 400 meters, I could handle it without much trouble. But it was far more brutal than I imagined." He revealed that he'd practiced four-legged walking in a park near his home—a training method he admitted "didn't help much" while kids played nearby.

The experience left a lasting impression. "I don't want to participate in any event more grueling than this," he joked.

This marked the final Red Bull 400 at Okura-yama Ski Jump facility due to facility renovations. The race has drawn over 10,000 cumulative participants since its inception and remains popular with both domestic and international runners. In the men's singles category, Seito Tanaka claimed his sixth consecutive victory, while debut competitor Ayaka Ueda took the women's title.

Golden Bomber, the visual-style air band Tarumizake performs with, has built a reputation for ambitious projects beyond music—from streaming concerts from uninhabited islands to unexpected athletic ventures like this.