Bitan Karoki, jogging alone in full sweats and a thick cap, early a.m. in Yoyogi Park, 9/24/13. World Championships 10000 m 6th-place finisher and DeNA RC member.
Leonard Barsoton, doing hill repeats before 7 a.m. in Yoyogi Park, 9/24/13. World XC silver medalist and Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Hiroyuki Sasaki, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 8/24/13. Waseda University graduate and rookie member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kenji Kobayashi, Kento Otsu, Yuta Shitara, Yasuyuki Watanabe and others at the National University Ekiden Championships Kanto Region Qualifier at Tokyo's National Stadium, 6/30/13.
Satoru Kitamura, doing a long buildup alone in Yoyogi Park, a.m., 6/29/13. Team Nissin Shokuhin member bound for next week's Asian Championships.
Benjamin Ngandu, heading into Yoyogi Park, a.m., 6/4/13. Monteroza-sponsored Kenyan formerly of Nihon Univ. fame.
Bitan Karoki and two DeNA teammates, running XC loops in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/4/13. 27:12 at Pre last weekend.
Leonard Barsoton, doing hill reps in Yoyogi Park's Blue Tent Machi, early a.m., 6/4/13. 2013 World XC junior silver medalist and Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Toshihiko Seko, running alone up Inokashira Dori, early a.m., 6/4/13. Marathon great and DeNA RC head coach.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, running alone in Yoyogi Park, afternoon, 6/2/13. Former member of Toyo University ekiden team, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Akinobu Murasawa, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 6/1/13. Former Tokai Univ. star, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Benjamin Ngandu again, same time, same place, 5/31/13.
Benjamin Ngandu, heading into Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/30/13. Former Nihon Univ. ace, now running for bar-sponsored Monteroza team.
Yusuke Hasegawa, heading into Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/16/13. Former Jobu University ace, now running for DeNA RC.
Leonard Barsoton, Bitan Karoki, Mekubo Mogusu and Yuichiro Ueno, running together on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/16/13. Top members of Nissin Shokuhin and DeNA teams.
Bitan Karoki, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/8/13. Top Kenyan man, London Olympics 10000 m, and member of DeNA RC.
Muryo Takase, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/8/13. Sub-62 half marathoner and member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Akinobu Murasawa, running alone and then walking on the XC loop, Yoyogi Park, 4/22/13. Former Tokai Univ. star, now with Team Nissin Shokuhin and coming back from an Achilles injury.
Toshihiko Seko, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. Legendary marathoner, DeNA RC head coach. Wearing a DeNA jacket this time.
Bitan Karoki, jogging alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. Top Kenyan man, London Olympics 10000 m, DeNA RC runner.
Toshinari Suwa, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. 2:07 Athens Olympics marathoner.
Leonard Barsoton and Mekubo Mogusu, running XC loops together in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. Team Nissin Shokuhin Kenyans.
Ryan Hall, running alone along the Charles in Cambridge, 4/14/13. 2:04 marathoner.
Akinobu Murasawa, Kenichi Jiromaru, Satoru Kitamura, Kazuya Watanabe and Bene Zama doing a long tempo in Yoyogi Park, 4/6/13. Members of '12 national champ Nissin Shokuhin team. Murasawa and Watanabe are new to the team this month.
Kenjiro Jitsui, working out in lane 4 again at Oda Field, 4/2/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Manabu Kawagoe, running alone toward Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/1/13. Head coach of Second Wind AC and Edion corporate team.
Toshihiko Seko, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/1/13. Legend. Former S&B head coach, now leader of DeNA team but still wearing an S&B jacket.
Bitan Karoki and a teammate in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/1/13. Top Kenyan man in London Olympics 10000 m, training on first day as members of new DeNA corporate team.
Kenjiro Jitsui, warming up on the track at Oda Field, 3/26/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Kenjiro Jitsui, doing a long tempo alone in lane 4 at Oda Field, 3/12/13. 2:08 Olympian, now 40+. Training for Nagano?
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, 3/11/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, 2/10/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Muryo Takase, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 1/26/13. Sub-62 half marathoner and member of '12 national champions Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Itayama, running alone on the inner loop in Yoyogi Park, 1/4/13. Member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kento Otsu, in the hall at the National Stadium, 11/24/12. 2012 Hakone Ekiden 8th Stage winner and member of winning Toyo University team.
Takanori Ichikawa, walking toward Sendagaya Stn. from the National Stadium, 11/24/12. Captain of 2012 Hakone Ekiden winners Toyo University.
Arata Fujiwara, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/14/12. 2:07 Oympian.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/14/12. 2:08 Olympian.
Yuki Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, a.m., 11/10/12. 10000 m national champion and London Olympian.
Leonard Barston, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/27/12. Jr. Kenyan on '12 New Year Ekiden champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kaori Yoshida, jogging and laughing with a friend at the Imperial Palace, 9/22/12. 2012 Gold Coast Marathon winner.
Bene Zama, jogging alone on the XC loop, early a.m., 9/20/12. Member of '12 New Year Ekiden champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Arata Fujiwara, jogging alone wearing a big floppy hat in Yoyogi Park, 9/1/12. London Olympics marathoner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, helping out with water at a SWAC practice session in Yoyogi Park, 9/1/12. Hokkaido Marathon course record holder.
Satoru Kitamura, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 8/17/12. Member of '12 New Year Ekiden champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Kawagoe, Eri Okubo and three other SWAC women, doing speed work in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/16/12. Head coach of SWAC and Edion teams, SWAC's star runner et al.
Eri Okubo, doing a solo pace loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/13/12. 2:26:08 marathoner.
Gideon Ngatuny, running hard alone on the Yoyogi Park XC loop, early a.m., 8/13/12. '08 Kenyan nat'l XC champ.
Eri Okubo, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 7/17/12. Top Japanese woman at this year's Tokyo Marathon.
Leonard Barston, doing hill repeats on the Blue Tent Machi hill in Yoyogi Park with a coach watching, early a.m., 7/10/12. National champion Team Nissin Shokuhin's C-Kenyan.
Leonard Barston, running a buildup alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 7/9/12. National champion Team Nissin Shokuhin's C-Kenyan.
Leonard Barston and Gideon Ngatuny, warming up in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/8/12. Kenyan members of national champ Team Nissin Shokuhin, which now has three Kenyans.
Mekubo Mogusu and Leonard Barston, doing at least a 15k XC buildup run in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/25/12. New Kenyan members of national champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Iitayama and Kenichi Jiromaru, running a long pace run in Yoyogi Park, 3/31/12. Members of national champion Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kiyoko Shimahara, running with a friend in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 3/28/12. Hokkaido Marathon course record holder and the nicest person in Japanese athletics.
Hideyuki Anzai, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 3/14/12. Member of national champion Team Nissin Shokuhin and Komazawa Univ. graduate.
Eri Okubo again, crossing the Odakyu line near Yoyogi Hachiman station, 3/3/12. Top current member of Second Wind AC.
Satoru Kitamura, doing a tempo run in Yoyogi Park, 3/3/12. 28:00 runner & member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Eri Okubo, jogging at Oda Field, 2/28/12. 4th at 2012 Tokyo Marathon.
Hiroyuki Ono, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/4/12. Nissin Shokuhin runner famous for collapsing near end of Hakone Ekiden 5th Stg. as junior at Juntendo Univ.
Keizo Maruyama, running through Akasaka Mitsuke Station in a suit, late for Team Nissin Shokuhin's New Year Ekiden win party, 1/31/12. Former Nissin and Tokai Univ. runner.
Kosaku Hoshina, Kenichi Jiromaru, Manabu Itayama and Yuzo Onishi doing a long tempo run in Yoyogi Park with coach Kenjiro Jitsui taking splits, 1/28/12. Members of 2012 New Year Ekiden national champions Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Tomomi Yuda, riding her bike up Inokashira-dori, 1/17/12. Former Team Wacoal runner, now married to Team Nissin Shokuhin member Satoru Kitamura and working at the Newton shop.
Takayuki Nishida, Mekubo Mogusu, Stephan Mayaka, Hiroyuki Ono, Yasushi Sakaguchi, Daiichi Sawano, Shunsuke Nagato, Keisuke Sawaki and others, at the Hakone Ekiden Yosenkai, 10/15/11.
Toshinari Suwa, running past Sangubashi station toward Yoyogi Park, 10/12/11. 2:07 marathoner.
Eri Okubo, doing hill reps behind Hachimanjingu, 10/12/11. Ran 2:28 in Berlin last month.
Ari Ichihashi and Akemi Masuda, at an Adidas event in the National Stadium, 10/11/11. Former elite marathon women.
Bene Zama, running past Sangubashi station toward Yoyogi Park, evening, 10/11/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Hiromi Taniguchi, in the lobby at the travel industry trade convention going on at Big Sight, 9/30/11. '91 WC marathon gold medalist and former Team Tepco head coach.
Yuri Kano again, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 9/16/11.
Yuri Kano, running down Inokashira-dori toward Yamate-dori with a male friend, 9/12/11. Former Second Wind AC ace.
Megumi Kinukawa and Takao Watanabe, sitting next to me eating breakfast in the Zao Bodaira Kogen Woody Village cafeteria, 8/7/11. 10000 m junior national record holder and her coach.
Megumi Kinukawa, doing a track workout alone at Zao Bodaira Kogen, 8/6/11. 5000 m national champion.
Yuri Kano, jogging with a friend in lane 8 at Oda Field, 7/26/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner. Possibly the first time I've ever seen her smiling.
Bene Zama, running alone on the XC course in Yoyogi Park, 7/14/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Tomomi Yuda, riding her bike in Shibuya, 7/12/11. Former Team Wacoal runner.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 7/5/11. 2:08 marathoner and Olympian.
Rena Joshita, talking to friends at Kumagaya Dome, 6/12/11. Former nat'l level hurdler.
Shota Hiraga, on the train up to Kumagaya to run the Nationals 5000 m, 6/12/11. 2009 Ageo City Half Marathon winner and Waseda University team member.
Kenjiro Jitsui, on the bus to Kumagaya Dome to watch his runner Yuki Sato win the Nationals 10000 m title, 6/10/11. 2:08 marathoner, now ass't coach at Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Mitsuru Kubota, Stephen Mayaka, Bene Zama, others, at the Kanto Regionals Meet at the National Stadium, 5/21-22/11.
Mitsuru Kubota, Stephen Mayaka, Mekubo Mogusu, Toshihiko Seko, others, at the Kanto Regionals Meet at the National Stadium, 5/14-15/11.
Bene Zama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/10/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin member and the only foreign-born runner I know of to take Japanese citizenship during his active career.
Kaori Yoshida, waiting to cross the street outside Jimbocho Stn., 5/9/11. 2011 Tanigawa Half Marathon winner.
Kenichiro Jiromaru, Hiroyuki Ono and one other Team Nissin Shokuhin runner, turning onto Inokashira Dori outside my apartment, 5/6/11. I guess the Nissin guys are around now.
Yuki Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/6/11. 27:59 at the Cardinal Inv. last weekend.
Gideon Ngatuny, running alone on the XC loop, Yoyogi Park, 5/5/11. Past Kenyan XC Champion.
Yuri Kano, doing ~76 sec quarters at Oda Field, 5/4/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, taking care of Megumi Oshima's baby while Oshima worked out at Oda Field, 5/4/11. Two retired former top marathon women.
Kenichiro Jiromaru, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/4/11. Junior member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Hiroyuki Ono and Kenichiro Jiromaru, running up Yamate Dori past my apartment, 5/3/11. Junior members of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu and three other Team Tepco runners, doing intervals at the Kaigakan loop in Jingu Gaien, 3/29/11. Wakamatsu again. The Tepco runners have to be under a lot of stress right now.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, running across the street from the Canadian Embassy, evening, 3/28/11. Former Toyo Univ. runner, now running for Team Tepco, in the news now more than ever.
Yuri Kano, running alone and scowling even more than usual in Yoyogi Park, 3/27/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner, freshly withdrawn from next month's London Marathon.
Yuri Kano, running alone in an empty Yoyogi Park, 3/16/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner and unlucky lady.
Megumi Oshima and Akemi Ozaki, at the Omotesando Women's 10 km, Tokyo, 3/6/11. Former elite marathon women.
Tomomi Yuda, running at the Kaigakan, Tokyo, 3/1/11. Former Team Wacoal member, known as the Venus of Japanese women's distance running.
Satoru Kitamura, Toshinari Suwa and Tomomi Yuda, filling in for Haile Gebrselassie at an Adidas event in Nishi-Kasai, Tokyo, 2/28/11. Two injured Nissin Shokuhin runners and former Team Wacoal member.
Yuko Arimori, Takayuki Inubushi, Scott Jurek, Yoshio Koide, Akemi Ozaki, Naoko Takahashishi, and Tomomi Yuda, at the Tokyo Marathon Expo, 2/24-26/11.
Keita Akiba, running alone and listening to music in Yoyogi Park, 2/26/11. One of the domestic favorites for the Tokyo Marathon.
Paul Biwott, doing his final speedwork in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/26/11. 2:07:02 invited elite for the Tokyo Marathon.
Kazuyoshi Tokumoto, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/17/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin member and former Hosei Univ. ace.
Yukari Sahaku, Akane Wakita and Mizuho Nasukawa, on the way to the Akabane Half Marathon, 2/13/11. Yoshio Koide-coached runners for Team Univ. Ent. and Team Toyota Jidoshoki.
Yuri Kano, running up Inokashira-dori toward Yamate-dori, 1/31/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner.
Natsuki Terada, supporting his teammates at the Shibuya Ekiden, 1/16/11. The wrong-way runner from this year's Hakone Ekiden, now Japan's most internationally-famous distance runner.
Keizo Maruyama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 1/16/11. Member of 2010 New Year Ekiden winners Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Minoru Okuda, at the Ogawamachi Washi Half Marathon, 12/12/10. Team Honda runner who debuted at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in September.
Kiyotaka Shimamura, doing speedwork in Yoyogi Park, 11/27/10. 2006 Ohtawara Marathon winner and former Team S&B runner, in training for Hofu Yomiuri.
Cyrus Njui, cheering two friends with his wife and baby at the Nishi-Kanasa Mountain Road Race, 11/21/10. 2010 Hokkaido Marathon and Sapporo Half Marathon winner.
Tomomi Yuda, pacemaking an amateur running club at Oda Field, 10/13/10. Recently-retired 'Venus of Track and Field' and former Team Wacoal member.
Takayuki Nishida, coaching an amateur running club at Oda Field, 10/13/10. 2:08 marathoner and '01 WC team member.
Kaori Yoshida, running alone at the Imperial Palace, evening, 10/2/10. 2010 Gold Coast Marathon and Hakodate Half Marathon winner.
Caleb Ndiku and another Kenyan, hanging out talking on a bench in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/1/10. 2010 World XC Jr. Champ.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running hard on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/1/10. 2:08 marathoner and Olympian, now a coach for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Caleb Ndiku, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park alone, early a.m., 9/20/10. 2010 World XC Jr. Champ, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuichiro Ueno and Akira Kiniwa, doing a long buildup on the track, 9/15/10. Two Team S&B guys.
Yu Chiba and Tetsuya Yoroizaka, walking around outside the National Stadium after the end of the Nationals meet, 9/12/10. Toyo and Meiji University runners, respectively.
Yuta Takahashi, sitting with the Josai Univ. cheering squad, at University Nationals at Tokyo's National Stadium, 9/12/10. Former Josai ace, now running for Team S&B.
Kunimitsu Ito, Keiichi Murai and Yasuyuki Watanabe, at University Nationals at Tokyo's National Stadium, 9/10/10. Three top coaches and former running greats.
Yuichiro Ueno, doing something longish on the track at 3:20/km pace, 9/7/10. 2009 double 1500 m and 5000 m national champion, getting closer to the 1500 m national record.
Akira Kiniwa (S&B), Yoshihiro Wakamatsu (Tepco) and members of Team Toyota Boshoku, Nihon Univ. and Komazawa Univ., around Sugadaira, Nagano, 8/28/10.
Manabu Kawagoe, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/12/10. Head coach of Second Wind AC and past winner of Fuchu Tamagawa 20 km.
Tomoaki Kunichika, doing long intervals on the track, evening, 8/10/10. Team S&B leader and 2:07 marathoner nearing the end.
Yuichiro Ueno, finishing some speedwork in Yoyogi Park around 9:30 p.m, 8/4/10. 2009 double 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Yukifumi Murakami, Masashi Eriguchi, Katsuaki Yoshida and others, watching the Twilight Games at Oda Field, 7/25/10. '09 WC javelin medalist and two national champions.
Bitan Karoki, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early evening, 7/6/10. S&B Kenyan ace, still not in Hokkaido.
Toshihiko Seko, Yasuyuki Watanabe and Bitan Karoki, watching the Nat'l Univ Ekiden Qualifier, 6/26/10. Team S&B old boys' network.
Shinji Kawashima and Takeshi Soh, watching the Nat'l Univ Ekiden Qualifier, 6/26/10. Former Asahi Kasei greats.
Kiyoshi Akimoto, watching the Nat'l Univ Ekiden Qualifier, 6/26/10. Team Honda head coach.
Kara and Adam Goucher, on our flight again, 6/21/10. Grandma's Marathon special guests.
Dick Beardsley, Gary Bjorklund and Fernando Cabada, at the Grandma's Marathon pre-race press conference, 6/18/10. Old-time and current American greats.
Kara and Adam Goucher, on our flight from Mpls to Duluth, 6/17/10. Superstar American running couple.
Bitan Karoki, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/17/10. Kenyan jr. ace runner for Team S&B. Surprised he isn't in Hokkaido.
Yukiyoshi Kino and Kiyotaka Shimamura, running together in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/14/10. Team S&B guys, not up in Hokkaido with everyone else.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/14/10. Former 2:08 Olympian now in his 40's and coaching for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuki Sato, Bene Zama and two other Nissin Shokuhin runners, passing the West Gate of Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/8/10. 2010 New Year Ekiden national champions.
Caleb Ndiku and Hiroyuki Ono, doing a buildup in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/8/10. 2010 World XC jr. champ and Nissin Shokuhin teammate.
Kenichi Jiromaru, coming into Yoyogi Park as I was stretching, 6/7/10. Team Nissin Shokuhin rookie.
Caleb Ndiku and Gideon Ngatuny, jogging slowly on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/7/10. 2010 World XC jr. champ and Nissin Shokuhin teammate. I was doing a buildup and passed them.
Haile Gebrselassie, at Icahn Stadium, New York, 6/2/10. The great one, on my birthday.
Mekubo Mogusu, Daniel Gitau, Stephen Mayaka, Yasuyuki Watanabe and others, at the Kanto Regional, 5/23/10.
Caleb Ndiku and Bitan Karoki, watching the steeplechase at the Kanto Regionals, 5/16/10. 2010 World XC Jr. champ and top Japan-based Kenyan together with some Japanese friends.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, walking around in the stands at the Kanto Regionals, 5/16/10. Former Toyo Univ. runner, now with Team Tepco.
Tatsuo Kawano, near Sangubashi Stn. as I was walking home, 5/15/10. Retired former Josai Univ. and NTT Higashi Nihon runner.
Yuta Takahashi, walking around near the National Stadium, 5/15/10. Former Josai Univ. star, now with Team S&B.
Bene Zama, again, on the Sobu Line, 5/15/10. Strange coincidence.
Bene Zama and Yuzo Onishi again, in Yoyogi Park on their way to Oda Field, 5/15/10. Nisshin Shokuhin runners.
Bene Zama and Yuzo Onishi, as well as runners from Komori Corp. and Tepco, running in Yoyogi Park, 5/14/10. Zama and Onishi are from '10 national champions Nissin Shokuhin.
Kensuke Takezawa, in street clothes walking around at the Arakawa Ekiden Carnival, 5/9/10. 13:19 / 27:45 guy, just back from the Cardinal Invitational.
Yuichi Kanzawa and Naohiro Okada, running the anchor stage at the Arakawa Ekiden Carnival, 5/9/10. Former Hakone Ekiden anchors for Waseda and Asia Univ.
Kiyoko Shimahara, coming down the steps next to my apartment as I was going up, 5/3/10. 2009 Hokkaido Marathon winner. Haven't seen her since February. She's moving to Nagano next week.
Takeyuki Nakayama, Yuki Kawauchi, Takaaki Tanaka, Rie Matsumoto, Haruka Igarashi and others at the Kasumigaura Marathon and 10-Miler, 4/18/10.
Eri Hayakawa, Erick Wainaina, and others at the Nagano Marathon Expo, 4/17/10.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing Team Tepco/Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike, early a.m., 4/13/10. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Bitan Karoki, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/13/10. Top H.S. Kenyan in Japan; just joined Team S&B this month.
Caleb Ndiku, Gideon Ngatuny and Bitan Karoki, running XC loops in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/12/10. 2010 World XC jr. champion and two of the other top Kenyans in Japan.
Kodai Matsumoto, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/12/10. Former Meiji Univ. ace, now new S&B member.
Yuta Takahashi, trying to jog through the ohanami crowds in Yoyogi Park, early evening, 4/3/10. Josai Univ. ace who just joined Team S&B.
Yuichiro Ueno, going into 7-11 in Hatsudai, 4/1/10. '09 Nat'l Champ, 1500 m and 5000 m.
Bitan Karoki, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/22/2010. Top high school runner in Japan, soon to join Team S&B.
Yuzo Onishi and Kenjiro Jitsui, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/18/10. Two 2:08 guys.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/17/10. 1996 Olympic marathoner, training for Biwako next month.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing three guys from Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/16/10. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Kazuyoshi Tokumoto and Yuki Sato, running in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/16/10. Team Nissin Shokuhin members.
Mara Yamauchi, walking in Yoyogi Park with her husband, 2/14/10. 6th in last week's Marugame Int'l Half, on the list for the Ome 30 km next week.
Kodai Matsumoto, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/10/10. Top guy on Meiji Univ.'s team; missed Hakone due to injury. Interesting, does this mean he is joining S&B too?
Bitan Karoki, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/10/10. Top HS Kenyan, joining S&B in April.
Aruto Anzai and other S&B guys I didn't recognize, running in pairs and alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/10/10.
One of the Ominami twins, jogging alone near the finish of the Osaka Half Marathon, 1/30/10. Don't know which one it was, but at least one of them usually runs the Osaka Half.
Kiyoko Shimahara and Yuri Kano, looking fine on the Chiyoda Line, mid-afternoon, 1/25/10. On their way back from Kita-Kyushu?
Bene Zama and Kosaku Hoshina, working out at Oda Field, 1/16/10. Star members of 2010 New Year Ekiden champs Team Nissin Shokuhin. WC marathoner Yuri Kano was also doing some kind of long buildup.
Kensuke Takezawa, running hard alone and then standing at attention receiving his coach's comments in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 1/15/10. 5000 m junior NR holder - 13:19.00
Kenjiro Jitsui, running in a white cotton t-shirt and 80's-style shorts in zero-degree temps in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 1/15/10. Old-school 2:08 Olympian.
Kiyoko Shimahara, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 1/4/10. 3 sub-2:30's in last 4 months. Ran two laps of the park together - she has big plans for '10.
Yuki Sato and Hiroyuki Ono, running up Inokashira Dori toward Harajuku, early a.m., 12/29/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin's star first-year recruits, one a 27:38 10k man and the other the famous 2008 Hakone Ekiden 5th Stage collapsing guy, getting ready for Friday's New Year Ekiden for which Nissin is the favorite.
Hiromi Taniguchi again, on a bike pacing Team Tokyo Denryoku on a cold group tempo run before sunrise in Yoyogi Park, 12/22/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Yuki Sato, jogging alone along the street outside the West Gate of Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 12/16/09. 27:38 10000 m guy who has been having a lot of ups and downs this year.
Yurika Nakamura and Rei Ohara, running together in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 12/16/09. 2009 World Champs track runner and teammate. Must be in town for the 2009 Rikuren awards.
Minori Hayakari, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 12/15/09. Women's 3000 mSC national record holder. Must have just come back from Hong Kong.
Hiromi Taniguchi, coaching an amateur walker/jogger club in Yoyogi Park, 12/12/09. 1991 World Championships gold medalist and Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 12/8/09. 1991 World Championships gold medalist and Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Takao Nakamura, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/27/09. 1980 Olympics 5000 m runner.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/27/09. 2:08 Olympian. Ran a loop of the park together.
Keizo Maruyama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 11/23/09. Former Tokai Univ. and current Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Team Nissin Shokuhin - Gideon Ngatuny, Julius Gitahi, Yuki Sato, Hiroyuki Ono, Toshinari Suwa, Bene Zama, Satoru Kitamura and everybody else, doing intervals at Oda Field, 11/21/09. Likely 2010 New Year Ekiden champions.
Yuichiro Ueno, doing 400 m repeats at Oda Field, 11/21/09. 2009 double 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Akemi Ozaki, doing intervals in Yoyogi Park, 11/19/09. 2009 Athens Classic Marathon winner, in preparation for the Honolulu Marathon.
Takayuki Nishida, doing intervals on the Jingu Gaien loop, 11/18/09. 2001 World Championships marathoner preparing for next week's Kawaguchiko Marathon. Appeared injured.
Harumi Hiroyama, walking around at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/15/09. Women's marathoning great who retired this year.
Yuri Kano, pacing some amateurs and then running alone in Yoyogi Park, 11/14/09. First time I've seen her since the big fall in NYC.
Hiromi Taniguchi, Yuichiro Ueno, Kenjiro Jitsui and other members of Teams Tokyo Denryoku, S&B and Nissin Shokuhin, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/28/09. The usual suspects as of late.
Oscar Pistorius, at the Venice Marathon Family Run, 10/24/09. Blade runner.
Akemi Masuda, at an Adidas event at the National Stadium, 10/22/09. Women's marathoning pioneer.
Yuichiro Ueno and three other Team S&B runners, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/21/09. 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Yuzo Onishi, Kenjiro Jitsui and Satoru Kitamura, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/21/09. Two 2:08 marathoners and a 28:00 10000m runner.
Hiromi Taniguchi, following Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike, early a.m., 10/20/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist and Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Hiroaki Oyagi, watching at the Takashimadaira 20 km Road Race, 10/18/09. Head coach of yesterday's Yosenkai winners and 2008 National Champions Komazawa Univ.
Toshihiko Seko, Keisuke Sawaki, Yasuyuki Watanabe, Katsuhiko Hanada, Naohiro Okada and others at the Hakone Ekiden Yosenkai, 10/17/09.
Akio Usami, running under the Yamanote line between Sendagaya and Sangubashi, evening, 10/15/09. Old-time Olympic marathon great.
Yukiyoshi Kino and Kiyotaka Shimamura, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/14/09. Team S&B runners.
Satoru Kitamura and Kenjiro Jitsui, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/14/09. 28:00 guy and 2:08 Olympic marathoner now on Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Nihon University's ekiden team, lined up for a team meeting on their track at 6 a.m. before heading off to Izumo, 10/10/09. 2008 Izumo Ekiden winners.
Takayuki Nishida, by chance in Omote-Sando station, 10/7/09. 2:08 / World Championships marathoner.
Yuichiro Ueno, Aruto Anzai, Kiyotaka Shimamura and other Team S&B runners, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 10/7/09.
Yuki Sato and Bene Zama, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/7/09. 27:38 guy and his Nissin Shokuhin teammate.
Yuri Kano, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 10/5/09. Strange, she was supposed to have left for Albuquerque on the 1st to train for NYCM.
Shinji Kawashima, at the East Japan Int'l Ekiden, 10/4/09. Sydney Olympics marathoner and former coach of 2009 Hakone Ekiden winners Toyo Univ.
Kumiko Komiya, doing a long solo buildup run in Yoyogi Park, 10/3/09. 2009 Kanto Regional 5000 m champ and Tamagawa Univ. ace woman.
Bene Zama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/2/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/29/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist, now head coach for Tokyo Denryoku.
Minori Hayakari, Yasushi Sakaguchi, Keisuke Sawaki and the entire Second Wind AC staff, at the SWAC banquet celebrating Yuri Kano, Kiyoko Shimahara and Akemi Ozaki's runs at the World Championships and Hokkaido Marathons, 9/28/09. Women's 3000 mSC NR holder (MH), Rikuren Men's Marathoning director (YS), and Rikuren executive (KS).
Manabu Kawagoe, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/28/09. Second Wind head coach. First time I've ever seen him out running by himself.
Yuichiro Ueno, tying his shoes in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/25/09. 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Kenjiro Jitsui, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/25/09. 2:08 marathoner and Olympian, now coaching for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Bene Zama and Hiroki Matsumura, working out in Yoyogi Park, 9/19/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin guys.
Kiyoko Shimahara, running in Yoyogi Park, 9/17/09. Winner and CR holder, Hokkaido Marathon. First time I've seen her since May - ran together for an hour.
Yuki Sato and Hiroki Matsumura, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/16/09. 27:38 10000m guy and his Nissin Shokuhin teammate.
Kenjiro Jitsui, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, 9/13/09. Olympic marathoner now coaching for Nissin Shokuhin.
Atsushi Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, then later with Nakamura and her friend, early a.m., 8/26/09. 6th place, 2009 World Championships men's marathon.
Yurika Nakamura, running with a woman I didn't recognize in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/26/09. 7th place, 10000 m and 12th place, 5000 m at 2009 World Championships.
Yuri Kano, jogging alone very slowly and in apparent pain in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/26/09. 7th place, 2009 World Championships women's marathon.
Yuki Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/17/09. Guy who ran 27:38 in April but was left off the WC team. Should've been in Berlin today, not Tokyo.
Bene Zama and Kenjiro Jitsui, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/17/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner and coach.
Yurika Nakamura, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/5/09. Will run the 5000m and 10000m at the Berlin WC.
Tomo Morimoto, walking with a coach in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/5/09. Alternate, Berlin WC women's marathon team. Appeared to be injured.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing three Team Tokyo Denryoku runners on a bike in Yoyogi Park, p.m., 8/3/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist, now Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Bene Zama, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 8/3/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, running through Blue Tent-Machi in Yoyogi Park, 7/31/09. Member of Toyo University's 2009 Hakone Ekiden-winning team.
Akio Usami, coaching an amateur running club in Yoyogi Park, 7/25/09. 60's marathon Olympian.
Yuichiro Ueno, running outside the West Gate of Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 7/21/09. 2009 National Champion, 1500 m and 5000 m.
Shuichi Fujii, running in Yoyogi Park, 7/4/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Naoto Morimoto, waiting for a shinkansen with a teammate at Hiroshima Stn., 6/28/09. Former Yamanashi Gakuin Univ. Hakone Ekiden 5th Stage specialist, now running for Team Sanyo Tokushu Seiko.
Atsuyoshi Tobisaka, outside Big Arch Stadium, 6/28/09. Member of Toyo Univ.'s 2009 Hakone Ekiden winning squad, now running for Team NTN.
Teruto Ozaki, running along the Otagawa in Hiroshima, noonish, 6/27/09. Chugoku Denryoku runner.
Kazue Kojima, Risa Takenaka and other Ritsumeikan Univ. women, on the train after the second day of Japanese Nationals, 6/26/09. Kojima is the best university runner in Japan. She is running the 5000 m tomorrow. Takenaka ran the 1500 m today.
Mari Ozaki, Hitomi Niiya, Yoshio Koide, Manabu Kawagoe, Naohiro Okada and others, in and around Big Arch Stadium, Hiroshima, 6/26/09.
Hitomi Niiya, running in the Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima, early morning on 6/26/09. 2007 Tokyo Marathon winner who will try to make the World Championships team in the 5000 m tomorrow.
Hiroaki Oyagi, Tsuyoshi Ugachi and Fukatsu Takuya, on the train after the first day of Japanese Nationals, 6/25/09. Komazawa Univ. head coach and star runners.
Reiko Tosa, Yoshio Koide, Shuichi Akaba, Manabu Kawagoe, Naohiro Okada and others, in the stands at Big Arch Stadium, Hiroshima, 6/25/09.
Takayuki Nishida, leading a jogging group at Kaigakan, 6/24/09. 2001 Edmonton World Championships marathoner with a 2:08 PB.
Naohiro Okada, at the National Stadium during the National University Ekiden qualifying meet, 6/21/09. Anchor of 2006 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia Univ.
Takayuki Nishida, leading a jogging group at Kaigakan, 6/10/09. 2001 Edmonton World Championships marathoner with a 2:08 PB.
Yuki Sato, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 6/1/09. First-year Nissin Shokuhin runner who just ran 27:38 in California last month.
Hiroyuki Ono, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 5/30/09. The legendary guy who collapsed 400m from the finish at the 2008 Hakone Ekiden, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/29/09. Former Olympic marathoner, now a coach with Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Wilson Kipketer, in the VIP area at the finish of the Copenhagen Marathon, 5/24/09. WR holder, 800 m and 1000 m.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/17/09. Former Olympic marathoner, now a coach with Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuki Sato, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 5/16/09. First-year Nissin Shokuhin runner who just ran 27:38 at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational in California.
Shigeru Soh, Akemi Masuda and Erick Wainaina, on the set of a TV commercial shoot I was in with them in Shinjuku and at Makuhari, 5/15/09. Former marathon national record holders and two-time Olympic marathon medalist, respectively.
Dai Tamesue, Shingo Suetsugu and Erick Wainaina, on the set of a TV commercial shoot I was in with them at Makuhari, Chiba, 5/14/09. Two-time World Championships bronze medalist, Olympic bronze medalist, and two-time Olympic medalist, respectively.
Kenta Oshima and Bene Zama, working out at Oda Field, 5/9/09. Two of Team Nissin Shokuhin's top runners.
Yuichiro Ueno and Tatsunori Shinoura, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 5/8/09. Team S&B runners. Ueno just got back from a month in California running all the big spring meets.
Kaori Yoshida, running at the Imperial Palace, 5/2/09. 2008 Casablanca Marathon winner.
Yuri Kano, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/1/09. First time I've seen her since London.
Kazuma Kaikura and Keizo Maruyama, cooling down in Yoyogi Park, 4/30/09. Junior members of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Kawagoe, running at Oda Field, 4/28/09. Coach of Yuri Kano and SWAC, he just got back from the London Marathon today and he was at the track running a workout.
Katsuhiko Hanada and Seiji Kushibe, at Daito Bunka Univ., 4/12/09. Former Waseda Univ. star runners and Olympian (Hanada) and 1-hr. national record holder (Kushibe), now coaching Jobu and Josai Univ. respectively.
Hiromi Taniguchi, coaching Team Tokyo Denryoku at Oda Field, 4/9/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Gideon Ngatuny, doing long, hard XC intervals (5k repeats?) at 6:30 a.m. in Yoyogi Park, with Kenjiro Jitsui trying to follow, 4/9/09. One of the top 3 Kenyans in Japan and his coach, an Atlanta Olympics marathoner, getting ready for a track race on Sunday.
Megumi Oshima, running at Oda Field, 4/7/09. Three-time World Championships team member.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 3/29/09. Atlanta Olympics marathoner and Team Nissin Shokuhin coach.
Kazuma Kaikura, working out alone in Yoyogi Park, 3/28/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Yuko Arimori and Kaori Yoshida, watching the Tokyo Marathon along the course, 3/22/09. 2nd year in a row getting a hi-five from Arimori.
Toshinari Takaoka and Tomohiro Seto, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 3/21/09. Marathon national record holder and his teammate, getting ready for Tokyo tomorrow.
Akio Usami, jogging at Oda Field, 3/21/09. `60`s-`70`s-era Olympic marathon great.
Boaz Cheboiywo, working out at Oda Field, 3/20/09. 2002 NCAA 10000 m champion and Tokyo Marathon pacemaker.
Akio Usami, Gelindo Bordin, Erick Wainaina, Naohiro Okada, Megumi Oshima, Ari Ichihashi, Yuko Arimori and Akemi Masuda at the Tokyo Marathon expo, 3/20/09.
Yuichi Takahashi, working out at Oda Field, 3/17/09. Athens Paralympics men's marathon gold medalist.
Ari Ichihashi, at Queen's Park mall, Yokohama, 3/11/09. Olympic and World Championships marathoner.
Kazuma Kaikura, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 3/5/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Tomoya Onishi or Kazuki Onishi, outside the east side of Shibuya Station, 3/2/09. One of 2009 Hakone Ekiden winner Toyo Univ.'s star identical twins, but I'm not sure which one it was.
Mara Yamauchi, running along the Tamagawa, 3/1/09. Winner, 2009 Marugame Half Marathon and 2008 Osaka International Women's Marathon.
Bene Zama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 2/17/09. One of Team Nissin Shokuhin's star rookies.
Manabu Itayama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/16/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Manabu Itayama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/11/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Kiyotaka Shimamura, shaking a rock out of his shoe in Yoyogi Park, 2/2/09. Team S&B runner and 2006 Ohtawara Marathon winner.
Scott Westcott and Dale Warrander, in the Oita Airport gift shop, 2/2/09. Invited elites at the 2009 Beppu-Oita Marathon.
Yuichi Takahashi and Muneyuki Ojima, in the Oita Stadium locker room before the Beppu-Oita Marathon, 2/1/09. 2004 Paralympics marathon gold medalist, with 2-time 2:08 marathoner Ojima as his guide. Plus most of the elite field while warming up.
Yasushi Sakaguchi, Rikuren head of men's long distance running, and Yuki Kawauchi, Gakushuin Univ. ace Hakone runner, at the Beppu-Oita Marathon pre-race dinner, 1/31/09.
Gideon Ngatuny, running alone on the uphill in the Blue Tent Machi area of Yoyogi Park, 1/6/09. Winner of 2008 Nagoya Half Marathon and Kumamoto Kosa 10 Miler.
Daichi Umeno, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 12/18/08. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Takeyuki Nakayama, watching his son Takuya run at the National Long Distance Meet, Tokyo, 11/29/08. Former national record holder in 10000 m and marathon, and two-time Olympic marathon 4th place finisher.
Hiromi Taniguchi, in an access hallway at the National Stadium, 11/29/08, and again later in the stands. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Kiyotaka Shimamura, jogging in Yoyogi Park, and again later in the stands at the National Stadium, 11/29/08. 2006 Ohtawara Marathon winner; coached by Toshihiko Seko at Team S&B.
Hiromi Taniguchi, watching his athletes at Nittai Univ Time Trial, 11/22/08. Team Tokyo Denryoku head coach and 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Stephen Mayaka, watching his athletes at Nittai Univ. Time Trial, 11/22/08. Sozo Gakuen Univ. head coach and former Yamanashi Gakuin Univ. Hakone Ekiden winning team.
Yuichiro Ueno, running with a female friend in Yoyogi Park, 11/20/08. Former Chuo Univ. Hakone Ekiden star who joined Team S&B in the spring and is running the Ohtawara 10 km this Sunday.
Three of the Second Wind women on 11/20/08, but I see them pretty much every day now and am not going to list them anymore.
Yuri Kano, in street clothes, limping up the hill toward Oda Field, 11/18/08. 2nd place, 2008 Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 11/17/08. 2008 Casablanca Marathon winner.
Akemi Ozaki and Kaori Yoshida, outside the National Stadium during the Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon, 11/16/08. Ozaki's sister Yoshimi won, and teammate Yuri Kano came 2nd.
Naohiro Okada, working for Asics at the National Stadium during the Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon, 11/16/06. Anchor of 2006 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia Univ.
Yuki Kawauchi, Takuma Sasaya, Masaya Mori and many other university stars, warming up at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/16/08. Kawauchi started next to me and finished 3rd.
Akemi Ozaki and Kaori Yoshida doing warmups at Oda Field, 11/15/08. The other half of Second Wind AC's elite team.
Yuri Kano and Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Koen, early a.m. on 11/13/08. Second Wind AC pro marathoners. I see Shimahara almost every day these days, so I will probably stop listing her.
Yuki Kawauchi, working out at Oda Field, 11/12/08. Gakushuin Univ. ace runner and 2008 New Caledonia Half Marathon winner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, running at Oda Field, 11/11/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Yuri Kano, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 11/11/08. The safest bet to be top Japanese at the Tokyo International Women's Marathon on Sunday.
Unidentified elite woman jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 11/11/08. She looked a bit like Naoko Sakamoto but probably wasn't.
Unknown Kenyan, most likely Daniel Gitau, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 11/8/08. I only saw him in profile so I'm not 100% certain it was Gitau.
Kunimitsu Ito, showing someone how to throw a discus in Yoyogi Park, 11/8/08. Legendary 2:07 marathoner and current Team Kanebo head coach.
Akemi Ozaki and Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Park and then working out at Oda Field, 11/8/08. Elite marathoners with Second Wind AC.
Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Park again, early a.m. on 11/6/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field with Kiyoko Shimahara handing her water, 11/4/08. Winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon.
Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 11/4/08. Silver medalist, 2006 Asian Games marathon.
Kazuyoshi Tokumoto, jogging by himself in Yoyogi Park after the East Japan Jitsugyodan Ekiden, 11/3/08. Team Nissin captain and former Hosei University star runner.
Team Nissin, jogging in Yoyogi Park after the East Japan Jitsugyodan Ekiden, 11/3/08. One of the top corporate teams in Japan.
Erick Wainaina, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 11/1/08. 2-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Kiyoko Shimahara, working out in Yoyogi Park, 11/1/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Akemi Ozaki, working out in Yoyogi Park, 11/1/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon and Honolulu Marathon.
Akemi Ozaki, running up Inokashira Dori to Yoyogi Koen, 10/30/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon and Honolulu Marathon.
Kiyoko Shimahara, working out at Oda Field, 10/28/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Akemi Ozaki, handing water to Kiyoko Shimahara at Oda Field, 10/28/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo International Women's Marathon and Honolulu Marathon.
Ari Ichihashi, again, at the National Stadium, 10/23/08. 2000 Sydney Olympics marathoner.
Ari Ichihashi, at an Adidas event in Yokohama, 10/22/08. Silver medalist, Seville World Championships marathon.
Bene Zama, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 10/21/08. Former Senshu Univ. ace; joined Team Nissin Shokuhin this year.
Hiroaki Oyagi, addressing his team after the Takashimadaira Road Race, 10/19/08. Head coach of Japan's dominant ekiden university, Komazawa.
Shinji Kawashima, standing near his team's tarp after the Takashimadaira Road Race, 10/19/08. Toyo University head coach, Sydney Olympics marathoner, and Beijing Paralympics marathon guide runner.
Team Yakult, training at Nojiriko, Nagano, 10/11-13/08. Jitsugyodan team whose star Daniel Njenga ran the Chicago Marathon on 10/13/08.
Akemi Ozaki, talking to friends at Oda Field, 10/1/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon and 2007 Honolulu Marathon.
Yuki Kawauchi, working out at Oda Field, 10/1/08. 2008 New Caledonia Half Marathon winner and top Gakushuin Univ. runner.
Yuichi Takahashi, working out at Oda Field, 9/30/08. 2nd place blind runner, Beijing Paralympics marathon, and 1st place blind runner, Athens Paralympics marathon.
Team S&B, jogging at Gosho, 9/26/08. Jitsugyodan team coached by Toshihiko Seko.
Yuri Kano, again, crossing Inokashira Dori on her way to Yoyogi Park, 9/21/08. 3rd place, 2008 New York City Half Marathon.
Yuri Kano, cooling down in the early A.M. in Yoyogi Park, 9/20/08. 3rd place, 2008 New York City Half Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field, 9/16/08. 3rd place, 2008 Hokkaido Marathon; winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon; Asian Junior XC Champion.
Akio Usami, working out at Oda Field, 8/13/08. 60's and early 70's Olympic marathon great.
Kiyoko Shimahara, working out at Oda Field, 8/5/08. 10th place, 2008 NYC Half Marathon.
Manabu Kawagoe, going into the soba shop behind my apartment, 7/22/08. Second Wind AC head coach.
Seiji Kushibe, at Citabria in Nishi-Azabu, 7/10/08. Japanese men`s national 1-hour record holder and Josai University coach.
Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging through the alleys near Yoyogi Hachiman Station, 7/4/08. 2007 World Championships marathoner.
Kiyotaka Shimamura and Tatsunori Shinoura, cooling down near Harajuku Station, 7/4/08. Team S&B runners.
Yuichiro Ueno, cooling down at the Kaigakan oval, 7/4/08. One of Japan`s best university runners, Ueno graduated this year and joined Team S&B.
Keizo Maruyama, near Sangubashi Station heading toward Yoyogi Park, 7/4/08. Former Tokai Univ. star runner, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuichi Takahashi, working out at Oda Field, 7/1/08. Athens Paralympics marathon gold medalist.
Kiyoko Shimahara, Kaori Yoshida and Yuri Kano, working out at Oda Field, 7/1/08. 2007 World Championships marathoner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon winner and 2007 Hokkaido Marathon winner, respectively.
Erick Wainaina, working out at the Imperial Palace, 6/30/08. 2-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Yuri Kano, again, in street clothes walking down the street outside my apartment, 6/30/08. Ran in National Champs 10k on Friday.
Noriko Matsuoka, outside Todoroki Stadium after the women`s 5000 m, 6/29/08.
Yuko Matsumiya, Naohiro Okada and Masahiro Okada outside Todoroki Stadium after the men`s 5000 m, 6/28/08.
Yuri Kano and Manabu Kawagoe, talking to a crowd of supporters outside Todoroki Stadium after the 10000 m, 6/27/08. Winner of 2008 Sapporo International Half Marathon.
Manabu Kawagoe, crossing the street outside my apartment around lunchtime, 6/27/08. Second Wind AC head coach.
Hideaki Date, Naoki Okamoto, Masaki Shimojo, Tomohiro Seto, Tetsuhiko Kin, Hiroaki Oyagi, Hisanori Kitajima and others milling around outside Todoroki Stadium after the first day of the National T&F Championships, 6/26/08.
Yuri Kano, jogging in Yoyogi Park early a.m. 6/26/08. Winner, 2008 Sapporo International Half Marathon, preparing for the National T&F Championships 10000 m on 6/27/08.
Kiyoko Shimahara and Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field, 6/24/08. World Championships marathoner and 2006 Hokkaido Marathon winner, respectively.
Yuri Kano, waiting to cross the street in front of my apartment, 6/24/08. Winner, 2008 Sapporo International Half Marathon and 2007 Hokkaido Marathon.
Masaki Shimojo, watching the All-Japan University Ekiden Qualifying Meet at Oda Field, 6/22/08. Winner, 2008 Kumanichi 30 km Road Race and Team Konica-Minolta member.
Keisuke Sawaki, watching the All-Japan University Ekiden Qualifying Meet at Oda Field, 6/22/08. Rikuren official, road race commentator and former Juntendo runner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, pacemaking a recreational runner group at Oda Field, 6/17/08. Silver medalist, 2006 Asian Games marathon; 6th place, 2007 World Championships marathon. Also ran the Sapporo Int`l 1/2 Marathon on 6/15/08.
Ari Ichihashi, at the National Stadium, 6/13/08. Olympic marathoner and World Championships marathon silver medalist.
Akemi Ozaki, working out at Oda Field, 6/10/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon and 2007 Honolulu Marathon.
Kensuke Takezawa, watching the half marathon with teammates at the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. Possibly Japan`s best university runner, but has been injured since December and has not raced since January. Runs for Waseda Univ.
Hiroaki Oyagi, striding through the crowd outside the stadium at the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. Head coach of 2008 Hakone Ekiden winners Komazawa Univ.
Naohiro Okada, outside the stadium before the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. Anchor of 2007 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia Univ.
Kota Yaginuma, watching the half marathon with friends at the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. 2006 Hakone Ekiden 6th stage winner, Hosei Univ.
Yuichi Takahashi, waiting for a train at Yoyogi Hachiman Station, 5/17/08. Athens Paralympics marathon gold medalist.
Julius Gitahi, running along the road next to Yoyogi Park, 5/15/08. Sydney Olympic Games 5000 m competitor; winner, 2007 Hokkaido Marathon; 3rd, 2008 Tokyo Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida and Manabu Kawagoe, walking down the street outside my apartment this morning while I was eating breakfast, 4/24/08. Second Wind AC elite runner and head coach.
Akio Usami, working out at Oda Field, 4/23/08. 60`s-era Olympic marathon great.
Amby Burfoot, Robert Cheruiyot, Steve Jones, Greg Meyer, Sonia O`Sullivan, Lance Armstrong, etc., at various places in Boston before and during the Boston Marathon, 4/20-21/08.
Gord Dickson and Ed Whitlock, Canadian distance running greats, before and after the Around the Bay 30k in Hamilton, Canada, 3/29-30/08.
Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field, 3/25/08. Winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon; Asian Junior XC Champion.
Akemi Ozaki, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 3/19/08. Tokyo International Women's Marathon: 2nd place, 2006; 4th place, 2007.
Kaori Yoshida, at Oda Field, 3/18/08. Winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon; Asian Junior XC Champion.
Manabu Kawagoe, at Oda Field, 3/18/08. I've seen him every Tuesday night for weeks now, so unless I bump into him somewhere unexpected I won't include him anymore.
Mari Tanigawa, starting next to me at the Chunichi Toyohashi Half Marathon, 3/16/08. Winner, '94 Paris Marathon and '91 Tokyo International Women's Marathon, still going strong.
Ertiban Abera, at Oda Field and hanging around my neighborhood during the first part of March. New Ethiopian jitsugyodan recruit with PBs of 13:38.92 and 27:28.82.
Kiyoko Shimahara, hanging out with coach Manabu Kawagoe at Oda Field, 3/11/08. Silver medalist, 2006 Asian Games marathon; 6th, 2007 World Championships marathon; 11th, 2008 Nagoya International Women's Marathon.
Manabu Kawagoe, walking by himself in Shibuya, 3/4/08. Former Shiseido head coach, now coaching Second Wind AC.
Toshinari Suwa, running from Sangubashi to Yoyogi Park, 2/29/08. Athens Olympian and 2:07 marathoner. He ran 2:09:16 at the Tokyo Marathon but failed to make the Beijing Olympic team.
Erick Wainaina, talking to fans in the finish facilities after the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Two-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Jon Brown, walking glumly through the finish facilities after DNFing at the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Two-time Olympic 4th place finisher.
Mari Tanigawa, cheering runners at Hibiya Park during the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Veteran elite Japanese marathon woman, still going strong.
Yuko Arimori, cheering runners and giving me a high-five at Hibiya Park during the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Two-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Kenji Kimihara, running next to me for the first 8km of the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Mexico City Olympics marathon medalist.
Ari Ichihashi, yet again, speaking at the Adidas booth at the Tokyo Marathon expo, 2/15/08. Reitred Olympic and World Championships marathoner.
Akemi Ozaki, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 2/9/08. Tokyo International Women's Marathon: 2nd place, 2006; 4th place, 2007.
Manabu Kawagoe, again, running during a Second Wind workout at Oda Field, 1/29/08. Former Team Shiseido head coach.
Manabu Kawagoe, standing by himself watching Second Wind AC train in Yoyogi Park, 1/12/08. Former Team Shiseido head coach; left Shiseido along with most of their team in '07 to found Second Wind.
Akio Usami, running on the track at Oda Field, 12/26/07. 60's and 70's Olympic marathon great.
Team Nissin, training at Oda Field, 12/15/07. One of the best jitsugyodan teams. The full A-squad and coaching staff were present, including Toshinari Suwa, Ngatuny Gideon, Julius Gitahi and Kazuyoshi Tokumoto.
Yuki Kawauchi, training at Oda Field, 12/15/07. Gakushuin Daigakuin ace runner.
Ari Ichihashi, at the Adidas Night Runners afterparty at the Komatsu Building in Ginza, 12/12/07. Silver medallist, marathon, Seville World Championships; Sydney Olympic marathoner.
Toshinari Suwa, running by himself in Yoyogi Park, 12/4/07. 6th place in Athens Olympics; 7th place in 2007 Osaka World Championships.
Yasushi Sakaguchi, waiting to cross the street with a staff member outside Akasaka Stn., Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Head coach of Team Chugoku Denryoku.
Deriba Merga, walking along the street by himself, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. 4th place finisher in 2007 World Road Running Championships.
Mark Carroll, having dinner with Brett Cartwright in the ballroom at the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Irish national record holder, 5000 m and 10000 m.
Brett Cartwright, having dinner with Mark Carroll in the ballroom at the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Ace Australian marathoner.
Takashi Nakata, in the ballroom at the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Notorious suicidal marathon frontrunner.
Hailu Negussie, standing in the lobby of the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Boston and Hofu Marathon winner.
Akio Usami, coaching and jogging at Oda Field, 11/21/07. `60`s-`70`s-era Olympic marathon great.
Rie Hasegawa, sitting on a bench looking tired at the National Stadium after the Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon, 11/18/07. Supermodel turned talented amateur marathon runner.
Chie Matsuda, talking to my girlfriend at the National Stadium after the Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon, 11/18/07. 1st-generation Japanese marathon woman, Shiseido spokeswoman and public favorite.
Yuki Kawauchi, sitting on the grass with his family inside the stadium at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/18/07. Kanto Gakuren Senbatsu Hakone Ekiden runner.
Takashi Nakata, warming up and then when I passed him around the 15 km point at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/18/07. Founder of Kanto RC.
Takuma Sasaya, warming up behind the stadium at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/18/07. Nihon University ace Hakone Ekiden runner.
Yuri Kano, in street clothes watching her Second Wind teammates at Ekiden Carnival in Showa Kinen Park, 11/10/07. Winner of 2007 Hokkaido Marathon; 3rd place, 2007 Osaka Int`l Women`s Marathon.
Takashi Nakata, running with Kanto RC (overall winners) at Ekiden Carnival in Showa Kinen Park, 11/10/07. Founder of Kanto RC and notorious suicidal crash and burn marathon frontrunner.
Naohiro Okada, running with Ginza Runners (winners of mixed division) at Ekiden Carnival in Showa Kinen Park, 11/10/07. Anchor of 2006 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia University.
Ari Ichihashi, coaching an Adidas event in Yokohama, 11/4/07. Silver medallist, marathon, Seville World Championships; Sydney Olympic marathoner.
Keizo Maruyama, jogging alone early in the morning in Yoyogi Park, 10/20/07. Former Tokai University ace; currently running for Nissin.
Yuri Kano, waiting for the light to change at the intersection outside my apartment and then heading south on Yamate-Dori, 10/3/07. 4th place, 2007 New York Half-Marathon; women`s marathon alternate, 2007 Osaka World Championships.
Yuichiro Ueno, looking over my shoulder at the results board after winning a 1500m at Oda Field and later standing outside a van nearby, 9/16/07. Chuo University`s star runner and one of the best university runners in Japan.
Leonard Barsoton, doing hill repeats before 7 a.m. in Yoyogi Park, 9/24/13. World XC silver medalist and Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Hiroyuki Sasaki, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 8/24/13. Waseda University graduate and rookie member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kenji Kobayashi, Kento Otsu, Yuta Shitara, Yasuyuki Watanabe and others at the National University Ekiden Championships Kanto Region Qualifier at Tokyo's National Stadium, 6/30/13.
Satoru Kitamura, doing a long buildup alone in Yoyogi Park, a.m., 6/29/13. Team Nissin Shokuhin member bound for next week's Asian Championships.
Benjamin Ngandu, heading into Yoyogi Park, a.m., 6/4/13. Monteroza-sponsored Kenyan formerly of Nihon Univ. fame.
Bitan Karoki and two DeNA teammates, running XC loops in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/4/13. 27:12 at Pre last weekend.
Leonard Barsoton, doing hill reps in Yoyogi Park's Blue Tent Machi, early a.m., 6/4/13. 2013 World XC junior silver medalist and Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Toshihiko Seko, running alone up Inokashira Dori, early a.m., 6/4/13. Marathon great and DeNA RC head coach.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, running alone in Yoyogi Park, afternoon, 6/2/13. Former member of Toyo University ekiden team, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Akinobu Murasawa, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 6/1/13. Former Tokai Univ. star, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Benjamin Ngandu again, same time, same place, 5/31/13.
Benjamin Ngandu, heading into Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/30/13. Former Nihon Univ. ace, now running for bar-sponsored Monteroza team.
Yusuke Hasegawa, heading into Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/16/13. Former Jobu University ace, now running for DeNA RC.
Leonard Barsoton, Bitan Karoki, Mekubo Mogusu and Yuichiro Ueno, running together on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/16/13. Top members of Nissin Shokuhin and DeNA teams.
Bitan Karoki, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/8/13. Top Kenyan man, London Olympics 10000 m, and member of DeNA RC.
Muryo Takase, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/8/13. Sub-62 half marathoner and member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Akinobu Murasawa, running alone and then walking on the XC loop, Yoyogi Park, 4/22/13. Former Tokai Univ. star, now with Team Nissin Shokuhin and coming back from an Achilles injury.
Toshihiko Seko, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. Legendary marathoner, DeNA RC head coach. Wearing a DeNA jacket this time.
Bitan Karoki, jogging alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. Top Kenyan man, London Olympics 10000 m, DeNA RC runner.
Toshinari Suwa, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. 2:07 Athens Olympics marathoner.
Leonard Barsoton and Mekubo Mogusu, running XC loops together in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/19/13. Team Nissin Shokuhin Kenyans.
Ryan Hall, running alone along the Charles in Cambridge, 4/14/13. 2:04 marathoner.
Akinobu Murasawa, Kenichi Jiromaru, Satoru Kitamura, Kazuya Watanabe and Bene Zama doing a long tempo in Yoyogi Park, 4/6/13. Members of '12 national champ Nissin Shokuhin team. Murasawa and Watanabe are new to the team this month.
Kenjiro Jitsui, working out in lane 4 again at Oda Field, 4/2/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Manabu Kawagoe, running alone toward Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/1/13. Head coach of Second Wind AC and Edion corporate team.
Toshihiko Seko, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/1/13. Legend. Former S&B head coach, now leader of DeNA team but still wearing an S&B jacket.
Bitan Karoki and a teammate in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/1/13. Top Kenyan man in London Olympics 10000 m, training on first day as members of new DeNA corporate team.
Kenjiro Jitsui, warming up on the track at Oda Field, 3/26/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Kenjiro Jitsui, doing a long tempo alone in lane 4 at Oda Field, 3/12/13. 2:08 Olympian, now 40+. Training for Nagano?
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, 3/11/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, 2/10/13. 2:08 Olympian.
Muryo Takase, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 1/26/13. Sub-62 half marathoner and member of '12 national champions Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Itayama, running alone on the inner loop in Yoyogi Park, 1/4/13. Member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kento Otsu, in the hall at the National Stadium, 11/24/12. 2012 Hakone Ekiden 8th Stage winner and member of winning Toyo University team.
Takanori Ichikawa, walking toward Sendagaya Stn. from the National Stadium, 11/24/12. Captain of 2012 Hakone Ekiden winners Toyo University.
Arata Fujiwara, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/14/12. 2:07 Oympian.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/14/12. 2:08 Olympian.
Yuki Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, a.m., 11/10/12. 10000 m national champion and London Olympian.
Leonard Barston, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/27/12. Jr. Kenyan on '12 New Year Ekiden champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kaori Yoshida, jogging and laughing with a friend at the Imperial Palace, 9/22/12. 2012 Gold Coast Marathon winner.
Bene Zama, jogging alone on the XC loop, early a.m., 9/20/12. Member of '12 New Year Ekiden champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Arata Fujiwara, jogging alone wearing a big floppy hat in Yoyogi Park, 9/1/12. London Olympics marathoner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, helping out with water at a SWAC practice session in Yoyogi Park, 9/1/12. Hokkaido Marathon course record holder.
Satoru Kitamura, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 8/17/12. Member of '12 New Year Ekiden champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Kawagoe, Eri Okubo and three other SWAC women, doing speed work in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/16/12. Head coach of SWAC and Edion teams, SWAC's star runner et al.
Eri Okubo, doing a solo pace loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/13/12. 2:26:08 marathoner.
Gideon Ngatuny, running hard alone on the Yoyogi Park XC loop, early a.m., 8/13/12. '08 Kenyan nat'l XC champ.
Eri Okubo, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 7/17/12. Top Japanese woman at this year's Tokyo Marathon.
Leonard Barston, doing hill repeats on the Blue Tent Machi hill in Yoyogi Park with a coach watching, early a.m., 7/10/12. National champion Team Nissin Shokuhin's C-Kenyan.
Leonard Barston, running a buildup alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 7/9/12. National champion Team Nissin Shokuhin's C-Kenyan.
Leonard Barston and Gideon Ngatuny, warming up in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/8/12. Kenyan members of national champ Team Nissin Shokuhin, which now has three Kenyans.
Mekubo Mogusu and Leonard Barston, doing at least a 15k XC buildup run in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/25/12. New Kenyan members of national champ Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Iitayama and Kenichi Jiromaru, running a long pace run in Yoyogi Park, 3/31/12. Members of national champion Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kiyoko Shimahara, running with a friend in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 3/28/12. Hokkaido Marathon course record holder and the nicest person in Japanese athletics.
Hideyuki Anzai, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 3/14/12. Member of national champion Team Nissin Shokuhin and Komazawa Univ. graduate.
Eri Okubo again, crossing the Odakyu line near Yoyogi Hachiman station, 3/3/12. Top current member of Second Wind AC.
Satoru Kitamura, doing a tempo run in Yoyogi Park, 3/3/12. 28:00 runner & member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Eri Okubo, jogging at Oda Field, 2/28/12. 4th at 2012 Tokyo Marathon.
Hiroyuki Ono, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/4/12. Nissin Shokuhin runner famous for collapsing near end of Hakone Ekiden 5th Stg. as junior at Juntendo Univ.
Keizo Maruyama, running through Akasaka Mitsuke Station in a suit, late for Team Nissin Shokuhin's New Year Ekiden win party, 1/31/12. Former Nissin and Tokai Univ. runner.
Kosaku Hoshina, Kenichi Jiromaru, Manabu Itayama and Yuzo Onishi doing a long tempo run in Yoyogi Park with coach Kenjiro Jitsui taking splits, 1/28/12. Members of 2012 New Year Ekiden national champions Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Tomomi Yuda, riding her bike up Inokashira-dori, 1/17/12. Former Team Wacoal runner, now married to Team Nissin Shokuhin member Satoru Kitamura and working at the Newton shop.
Takayuki Nishida, Mekubo Mogusu, Stephan Mayaka, Hiroyuki Ono, Yasushi Sakaguchi, Daiichi Sawano, Shunsuke Nagato, Keisuke Sawaki and others, at the Hakone Ekiden Yosenkai, 10/15/11.
Toshinari Suwa, running past Sangubashi station toward Yoyogi Park, 10/12/11. 2:07 marathoner.
Eri Okubo, doing hill reps behind Hachimanjingu, 10/12/11. Ran 2:28 in Berlin last month.
Ari Ichihashi and Akemi Masuda, at an Adidas event in the National Stadium, 10/11/11. Former elite marathon women.
Bene Zama, running past Sangubashi station toward Yoyogi Park, evening, 10/11/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Hiromi Taniguchi, in the lobby at the travel industry trade convention going on at Big Sight, 9/30/11. '91 WC marathon gold medalist and former Team Tepco head coach.
Yuri Kano again, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 9/16/11.
Yuri Kano, running down Inokashira-dori toward Yamate-dori with a male friend, 9/12/11. Former Second Wind AC ace.
Megumi Kinukawa and Takao Watanabe, sitting next to me eating breakfast in the Zao Bodaira Kogen Woody Village cafeteria, 8/7/11. 10000 m junior national record holder and her coach.
Megumi Kinukawa, doing a track workout alone at Zao Bodaira Kogen, 8/6/11. 5000 m national champion.
Yuri Kano, jogging with a friend in lane 8 at Oda Field, 7/26/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner. Possibly the first time I've ever seen her smiling.
Bene Zama, running alone on the XC course in Yoyogi Park, 7/14/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Tomomi Yuda, riding her bike in Shibuya, 7/12/11. Former Team Wacoal runner.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 7/5/11. 2:08 marathoner and Olympian.
Rena Joshita, talking to friends at Kumagaya Dome, 6/12/11. Former nat'l level hurdler.
Shota Hiraga, on the train up to Kumagaya to run the Nationals 5000 m, 6/12/11. 2009 Ageo City Half Marathon winner and Waseda University team member.
Kenjiro Jitsui, on the bus to Kumagaya Dome to watch his runner Yuki Sato win the Nationals 10000 m title, 6/10/11. 2:08 marathoner, now ass't coach at Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Mitsuru Kubota, Stephen Mayaka, Bene Zama, others, at the Kanto Regionals Meet at the National Stadium, 5/21-22/11.
Mitsuru Kubota, Stephen Mayaka, Mekubo Mogusu, Toshihiko Seko, others, at the Kanto Regionals Meet at the National Stadium, 5/14-15/11.
Bene Zama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/10/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin member and the only foreign-born runner I know of to take Japanese citizenship during his active career.
Kaori Yoshida, waiting to cross the street outside Jimbocho Stn., 5/9/11. 2011 Tanigawa Half Marathon winner.
Kenichiro Jiromaru, Hiroyuki Ono and one other Team Nissin Shokuhin runner, turning onto Inokashira Dori outside my apartment, 5/6/11. I guess the Nissin guys are around now.
Yuki Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/6/11. 27:59 at the Cardinal Inv. last weekend.
Gideon Ngatuny, running alone on the XC loop, Yoyogi Park, 5/5/11. Past Kenyan XC Champion.
Yuri Kano, doing ~76 sec quarters at Oda Field, 5/4/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, taking care of Megumi Oshima's baby while Oshima worked out at Oda Field, 5/4/11. Two retired former top marathon women.
Kenichiro Jiromaru, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/4/11. Junior member of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Hiroyuki Ono and Kenichiro Jiromaru, running up Yamate Dori past my apartment, 5/3/11. Junior members of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu and three other Team Tepco runners, doing intervals at the Kaigakan loop in Jingu Gaien, 3/29/11. Wakamatsu again. The Tepco runners have to be under a lot of stress right now.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, running across the street from the Canadian Embassy, evening, 3/28/11. Former Toyo Univ. runner, now running for Team Tepco, in the news now more than ever.
Yuri Kano, running alone and scowling even more than usual in Yoyogi Park, 3/27/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner, freshly withdrawn from next month's London Marathon.
Yuri Kano, running alone in an empty Yoyogi Park, 3/16/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner and unlucky lady.
Megumi Oshima and Akemi Ozaki, at the Omotesando Women's 10 km, Tokyo, 3/6/11. Former elite marathon women.
Tomomi Yuda, running at the Kaigakan, Tokyo, 3/1/11. Former Team Wacoal member, known as the Venus of Japanese women's distance running.
Satoru Kitamura, Toshinari Suwa and Tomomi Yuda, filling in for Haile Gebrselassie at an Adidas event in Nishi-Kasai, Tokyo, 2/28/11. Two injured Nissin Shokuhin runners and former Team Wacoal member.
Yuko Arimori, Takayuki Inubushi, Scott Jurek, Yoshio Koide, Akemi Ozaki, Naoko Takahashishi, and Tomomi Yuda, at the Tokyo Marathon Expo, 2/24-26/11.
Keita Akiba, running alone and listening to music in Yoyogi Park, 2/26/11. One of the domestic favorites for the Tokyo Marathon.
Paul Biwott, doing his final speedwork in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/26/11. 2:07:02 invited elite for the Tokyo Marathon.
Kazuyoshi Tokumoto, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/17/11. Team Nissin Shokuhin member and former Hosei Univ. ace.
Yuri Kano, running up Inokashira-dori toward Yamate-dori, 1/31/11. 2010 Nagoya Int'l Women's Marathon winner.
Natsuki Terada, supporting his teammates at the Shibuya Ekiden, 1/16/11. The wrong-way runner from this year's Hakone Ekiden, now Japan's most internationally-famous distance runner.
Keizo Maruyama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 1/16/11. Member of 2010 New Year Ekiden winners Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Bene Zama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 12/22/10. Member of 2010 National Corporate Champions Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Minoru Okuda, at the Ogawamachi Washi Half Marathon, 12/12/10. Team Honda runner who debuted at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in September.
Kiyotaka Shimamura, doing speedwork in Yoyogi Park, 11/27/10. 2006 Ohtawara Marathon winner and former Team S&B runner, in training for Hofu Yomiuri.
Cyrus Njui, cheering two friends with his wife and baby at the Nishi-Kanasa Mountain Road Race, 11/21/10. 2010 Hokkaido Marathon and Sapporo Half Marathon winner.
Tomomi Yuda, pacemaking an amateur running club at Oda Field, 10/13/10. Recently-retired 'Venus of Track and Field' and former Team Wacoal member.
Takayuki Nishida, coaching an amateur running club at Oda Field, 10/13/10. 2:08 marathoner and '01 WC team member.
Kaori Yoshida, running alone at the Imperial Palace, evening, 10/2/10. 2010 Gold Coast Marathon and Hakodate Half Marathon winner.
Caleb Ndiku and another Kenyan, hanging out talking on a bench in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/1/10. 2010 World XC Jr. Champ.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running hard on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/1/10. 2:08 marathoner and Olympian, now a coach for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Caleb Ndiku, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park alone, early a.m., 9/20/10. 2010 World XC Jr. Champ, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuichiro Ueno and Akira Kiniwa, doing a long buildup on the track, 9/15/10. Two Team S&B guys.
Yu Chiba and Tetsuya Yoroizaka, walking around outside the National Stadium after the end of the Nationals meet, 9/12/10. Toyo and Meiji University runners, respectively.
Yuta Takahashi, sitting with the Josai Univ. cheering squad, at University Nationals at Tokyo's National Stadium, 9/12/10. Former Josai ace, now running for Team S&B.
Kunimitsu Ito, Keiichi Murai and Yasuyuki Watanabe, at University Nationals at Tokyo's National Stadium, 9/10/10. Three top coaches and former running greats.
Yuichiro Ueno, doing something longish on the track at 3:20/km pace, 9/7/10. 2009 double 1500 m and 5000 m national champion, getting closer to the 1500 m national record.
Akira Kiniwa (S&B), Yoshihiro Wakamatsu (Tepco) and members of Team Toyota Boshoku, Nihon Univ. and Komazawa Univ., around Sugadaira, Nagano, 8/28/10.
Manabu Kawagoe, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/12/10. Head coach of Second Wind AC and past winner of Fuchu Tamagawa 20 km.
Tomoaki Kunichika, doing long intervals on the track, evening, 8/10/10. Team S&B leader and 2:07 marathoner nearing the end.
Yuichiro Ueno, finishing some speedwork in Yoyogi Park around 9:30 p.m, 8/4/10. 2009 double 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Yukifumi Murakami, Masashi Eriguchi, Katsuaki Yoshida and others, watching the Twilight Games at Oda Field, 7/25/10. '09 WC javelin medalist and two national champions.
Bitan Karoki, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early evening, 7/6/10. S&B Kenyan ace, still not in Hokkaido.
Toshihiko Seko, Yasuyuki Watanabe and Bitan Karoki, watching the Nat'l Univ Ekiden Qualifier, 6/26/10. Team S&B old boys' network.
Shinji Kawashima and Takeshi Soh, watching the Nat'l Univ Ekiden Qualifier, 6/26/10. Former Asahi Kasei greats.
Kiyoshi Akimoto, watching the Nat'l Univ Ekiden Qualifier, 6/26/10. Team Honda head coach.
Kara and Adam Goucher, on our flight again, 6/21/10. Grandma's Marathon special guests.
Dick Beardsley, Gary Bjorklund and Fernando Cabada, at the Grandma's Marathon pre-race press conference, 6/18/10. Old-time and current American greats.
Kara and Adam Goucher, on our flight from Mpls to Duluth, 6/17/10. Superstar American running couple.
Bitan Karoki, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/17/10. Kenyan jr. ace runner for Team S&B. Surprised he isn't in Hokkaido.
Yukiyoshi Kino and Kiyotaka Shimamura, running together in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/14/10. Team S&B guys, not up in Hokkaido with everyone else.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/14/10. Former 2:08 Olympian now in his 40's and coaching for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuki Sato, Bene Zama and two other Nissin Shokuhin runners, passing the West Gate of Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/8/10. 2010 New Year Ekiden national champions.
Caleb Ndiku and Hiroyuki Ono, doing a buildup in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/8/10. 2010 World XC jr. champ and Nissin Shokuhin teammate.
Kenichi Jiromaru, coming into Yoyogi Park as I was stretching, 6/7/10. Team Nissin Shokuhin rookie.
Caleb Ndiku and Gideon Ngatuny, jogging slowly on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 6/7/10. 2010 World XC jr. champ and Nissin Shokuhin teammate. I was doing a buildup and passed them.
Haile Gebrselassie, at Icahn Stadium, New York, 6/2/10. The great one, on my birthday.
Mekubo Mogusu, Daniel Gitau, Stephen Mayaka, Yasuyuki Watanabe and others, at the Kanto Regional, 5/23/10.
Caleb Ndiku and Bitan Karoki, watching the steeplechase at the Kanto Regionals, 5/16/10. 2010 World XC Jr. champ and top Japan-based Kenyan together with some Japanese friends.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, walking around in the stands at the Kanto Regionals, 5/16/10. Former Toyo Univ. runner, now with Team Tepco.
Tatsuo Kawano, near Sangubashi Stn. as I was walking home, 5/15/10. Retired former Josai Univ. and NTT Higashi Nihon runner.
Yuta Takahashi, walking around near the National Stadium, 5/15/10. Former Josai Univ. star, now with Team S&B.
Bene Zama, again, on the Sobu Line, 5/15/10. Strange coincidence.
Bene Zama and Yuzo Onishi again, in Yoyogi Park on their way to Oda Field, 5/15/10. Nisshin Shokuhin runners.
Bene Zama and Yuzo Onishi, as well as runners from Komori Corp. and Tepco, running in Yoyogi Park, 5/14/10. Zama and Onishi are from '10 national champions Nissin Shokuhin.
Kensuke Takezawa, in street clothes walking around at the Arakawa Ekiden Carnival, 5/9/10. 13:19 / 27:45 guy, just back from the Cardinal Invitational.
Yuichi Kanzawa and Naohiro Okada, running the anchor stage at the Arakawa Ekiden Carnival, 5/9/10. Former Hakone Ekiden anchors for Waseda and Asia Univ.
Kiyoko Shimahara, coming down the steps next to my apartment as I was going up, 5/3/10. 2009 Hokkaido Marathon winner. Haven't seen her since February. She's moving to Nagano next week.
Takeyuki Nakayama, Yuki Kawauchi, Takaaki Tanaka, Rie Matsumoto, Haruka Igarashi and others at the Kasumigaura Marathon and 10-Miler, 4/18/10.
Eri Hayakawa, Erick Wainaina, and others at the Nagano Marathon Expo, 4/17/10.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing Team Tepco/Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike, early a.m., 4/13/10. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Bitan Karoki, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/13/10. Top H.S. Kenyan in Japan; just joined Team S&B this month.
Caleb Ndiku, Gideon Ngatuny and Bitan Karoki, running XC loops in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/12/10. 2010 World XC jr. champion and two of the other top Kenyans in Japan.
Kodai Matsumoto, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 4/12/10. Former Meiji Univ. ace, now new S&B member.
Yuta Takahashi, trying to jog through the ohanami crowds in Yoyogi Park, early evening, 4/3/10. Josai Univ. ace who just joined Team S&B.
Yuichiro Ueno, going into 7-11 in Hatsudai, 4/1/10. '09 Nat'l Champ, 1500 m and 5000 m.
Bitan Karoki, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/22/2010. Top high school runner in Japan, soon to join Team S&B.
Yuzo Onishi and Kenjiro Jitsui, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/18/10. Two 2:08 guys.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/17/10. 1996 Olympic marathoner, training for Biwako next month.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing three guys from Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/16/10. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Kazuyoshi Tokumoto and Yuki Sato, running in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/16/10. Team Nissin Shokuhin members.
Mara Yamauchi, walking in Yoyogi Park with her husband, 2/14/10. 6th in last week's Marugame Int'l Half, on the list for the Ome 30 km next week.
Kodai Matsumoto, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/10/10. Top guy on Meiji Univ.'s team; missed Hakone due to injury. Interesting, does this mean he is joining S&B too?
Bitan Karoki, running the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/10/10. Top HS Kenyan, joining S&B in April.
Aruto Anzai and other S&B guys I didn't recognize, running in pairs and alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 2/10/10.
One of the Ominami twins, jogging alone near the finish of the Osaka Half Marathon, 1/30/10. Don't know which one it was, but at least one of them usually runs the Osaka Half.
Kiyoko Shimahara and Yuri Kano, looking fine on the Chiyoda Line, mid-afternoon, 1/25/10. On their way back from Kita-Kyushu?
Bene Zama and Kosaku Hoshina, working out at Oda Field, 1/16/10. Star members of 2010 New Year Ekiden champs Team Nissin Shokuhin. WC marathoner Yuri Kano was also doing some kind of long buildup.
Kensuke Takezawa, running hard alone and then standing at attention receiving his coach's comments in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 1/15/10. 5000 m junior NR holder - 13:19.00
Kenjiro Jitsui, running in a white cotton t-shirt and 80's-style shorts in zero-degree temps in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 1/15/10. Old-school 2:08 Olympian.
Kiyoko Shimahara, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 1/4/10. 3 sub-2:30's in last 4 months. Ran two laps of the park together - she has big plans for '10.
Yuki Sato and Hiroyuki Ono, running up Inokashira Dori toward Harajuku, early a.m., 12/29/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin's star first-year recruits, one a 27:38 10k man and the other the famous 2008 Hakone Ekiden 5th Stage collapsing guy, getting ready for Friday's New Year Ekiden for which Nissin is the favorite.
Hiromi Taniguchi again, on a bike pacing Team Tokyo Denryoku on a cold group tempo run before sunrise in Yoyogi Park, 12/22/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Yuki Sato, jogging alone along the street outside the West Gate of Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 12/16/09. 27:38 10000 m guy who has been having a lot of ups and downs this year.
Yurika Nakamura and Rei Ohara, running together in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 12/16/09. 2009 World Champs track runner and teammate. Must be in town for the 2009 Rikuren awards.
Minori Hayakari, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 12/15/09. Women's 3000 mSC national record holder. Must have just come back from Hong Kong.
Hiromi Taniguchi, coaching an amateur walker/jogger club in Yoyogi Park, 12/12/09. 1991 World Championships gold medalist and Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 12/8/09. 1991 World Championships gold medalist and Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Takao Nakamura, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/27/09. 1980 Olympics 5000 m runner.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 11/27/09. 2:08 Olympian. Ran a loop of the park together.
Keizo Maruyama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 11/23/09. Former Tokai Univ. and current Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Team Nissin Shokuhin - Gideon Ngatuny, Julius Gitahi, Yuki Sato, Hiroyuki Ono, Toshinari Suwa, Bene Zama, Satoru Kitamura and everybody else, doing intervals at Oda Field, 11/21/09. Likely 2010 New Year Ekiden champions.
Yuichiro Ueno, doing 400 m repeats at Oda Field, 11/21/09. 2009 double 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Akemi Ozaki, doing intervals in Yoyogi Park, 11/19/09. 2009 Athens Classic Marathon winner, in preparation for the Honolulu Marathon.
Takayuki Nishida, doing intervals on the Jingu Gaien loop, 11/18/09. 2001 World Championships marathoner preparing for next week's Kawaguchiko Marathon. Appeared injured.
Harumi Hiroyama, walking around at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/15/09. Women's marathoning great who retired this year.
Yuri Kano, pacing some amateurs and then running alone in Yoyogi Park, 11/14/09. First time I've seen her since the big fall in NYC.
Hiromi Taniguchi, Yuichiro Ueno, Kenjiro Jitsui and other members of Teams Tokyo Denryoku, S&B and Nissin Shokuhin, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/28/09. The usual suspects as of late.
Oscar Pistorius, at the Venice Marathon Family Run, 10/24/09. Blade runner.
Akemi Masuda, at an Adidas event at the National Stadium, 10/22/09. Women's marathoning pioneer.
Yuichiro Ueno and three other Team S&B runners, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/21/09. 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Yuzo Onishi, Kenjiro Jitsui and Satoru Kitamura, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/21/09. Two 2:08 marathoners and a 28:00 10000m runner.
Hiromi Taniguchi, following Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike, early a.m., 10/20/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist and Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Hiroaki Oyagi, watching at the Takashimadaira 20 km Road Race, 10/18/09. Head coach of yesterday's Yosenkai winners and 2008 National Champions Komazawa Univ.
Toshihiko Seko, Keisuke Sawaki, Yasuyuki Watanabe, Katsuhiko Hanada, Naohiro Okada and others at the Hakone Ekiden Yosenkai, 10/17/09.
Akio Usami, running under the Yamanote line between Sendagaya and Sangubashi, evening, 10/15/09. Old-time Olympic marathon great.
Yukiyoshi Kino and Kiyotaka Shimamura, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/14/09. Team S&B runners.
Satoru Kitamura and Kenjiro Jitsui, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/14/09. 28:00 guy and 2:08 Olympic marathoner now on Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Nihon University's ekiden team, lined up for a team meeting on their track at 6 a.m. before heading off to Izumo, 10/10/09. 2008 Izumo Ekiden winners.
Takayuki Nishida, by chance in Omote-Sando station, 10/7/09. 2:08 / World Championships marathoner.
Yuichiro Ueno, Aruto Anzai, Kiyotaka Shimamura and other Team S&B runners, in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 10/7/09.
Yuki Sato and Bene Zama, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/7/09. 27:38 guy and his Nissin Shokuhin teammate.
Yuri Kano, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 10/5/09. Strange, she was supposed to have left for Albuquerque on the 1st to train for NYCM.
Shinji Kawashima, at the East Japan Int'l Ekiden, 10/4/09. Sydney Olympics marathoner and former coach of 2009 Hakone Ekiden winners Toyo Univ.
Kumiko Komiya, doing a long solo buildup run in Yoyogi Park, 10/3/09. 2009 Kanto Regional 5000 m champ and Tamagawa Univ. ace woman.
Bene Zama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 10/2/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing Team Tokyo Denryoku on a bike in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/29/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist, now head coach for Tokyo Denryoku.
Minori Hayakari, Yasushi Sakaguchi, Keisuke Sawaki and the entire Second Wind AC staff, at the SWAC banquet celebrating Yuri Kano, Kiyoko Shimahara and Akemi Ozaki's runs at the World Championships and Hokkaido Marathons, 9/28/09. Women's 3000 mSC NR holder (MH), Rikuren Men's Marathoning director (YS), and Rikuren executive (KS).
Manabu Kawagoe, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/28/09. Second Wind head coach. First time I've ever seen him out running by himself.
Yuichiro Ueno, tying his shoes in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/25/09. 1500 m and 5000 m national champion.
Kenjiro Jitsui, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/25/09. 2:08 marathoner and Olympian, now coaching for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Bene Zama and Hiroki Matsumura, working out in Yoyogi Park, 9/19/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin guys.
Kiyoko Shimahara, running in Yoyogi Park, 9/17/09. Winner and CR holder, Hokkaido Marathon. First time I've seen her since May - ran together for an hour.
Yuki Sato and Hiroki Matsumura, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 9/16/09. 27:38 10000m guy and his Nissin Shokuhin teammate.
Kenjiro Jitsui, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, 9/13/09. Olympic marathoner now coaching for Nissin Shokuhin.
Atsushi Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, then later with Nakamura and her friend, early a.m., 8/26/09. 6th place, 2009 World Championships men's marathon.
Yurika Nakamura, running with a woman I didn't recognize in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/26/09. 7th place, 10000 m and 12th place, 5000 m at 2009 World Championships.
Yuri Kano, jogging alone very slowly and in apparent pain in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/26/09. 7th place, 2009 World Championships women's marathon.
Yuki Sato, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/17/09. Guy who ran 27:38 in April but was left off the WC team. Should've been in Berlin today, not Tokyo.
Bene Zama and Kenjiro Jitsui, running separately in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/17/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner and coach.
Yurika Nakamura, running alone on the XC loop in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/5/09. Will run the 5000m and 10000m at the Berlin WC.
Tomo Morimoto, walking with a coach in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 8/5/09. Alternate, Berlin WC women's marathon team. Appeared to be injured.
Hiromi Taniguchi, pacing three Team Tokyo Denryoku runners on a bike in Yoyogi Park, p.m., 8/3/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist, now Tokyo Denryoku head coach.
Bene Zama, jogging alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. 8/3/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin runner.
Yoshihiro Wakamatsu, running through Blue Tent-Machi in Yoyogi Park, 7/31/09. Member of Toyo University's 2009 Hakone Ekiden-winning team.
Akio Usami, coaching an amateur running club in Yoyogi Park, 7/25/09. 60's marathon Olympian.
Yuichiro Ueno, running outside the West Gate of Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 7/21/09. 2009 National Champion, 1500 m and 5000 m.
Shuichi Fujii, running in Yoyogi Park, 7/4/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Naoto Morimoto, waiting for a shinkansen with a teammate at Hiroshima Stn., 6/28/09. Former Yamanashi Gakuin Univ. Hakone Ekiden 5th Stage specialist, now running for Team Sanyo Tokushu Seiko.
Atsuyoshi Tobisaka, outside Big Arch Stadium, 6/28/09. Member of Toyo Univ.'s 2009 Hakone Ekiden winning squad, now running for Team NTN.
Teruto Ozaki, running along the Otagawa in Hiroshima, noonish, 6/27/09. Chugoku Denryoku runner.
Kazue Kojima, Risa Takenaka and other Ritsumeikan Univ. women, on the train after the second day of Japanese Nationals, 6/26/09. Kojima is the best university runner in Japan. She is running the 5000 m tomorrow. Takenaka ran the 1500 m today.
Mari Ozaki, Hitomi Niiya, Yoshio Koide, Manabu Kawagoe, Naohiro Okada and others, in and around Big Arch Stadium, Hiroshima, 6/26/09.
Hitomi Niiya, running in the Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima, early morning on 6/26/09. 2007 Tokyo Marathon winner who will try to make the World Championships team in the 5000 m tomorrow.
Hiroaki Oyagi, Tsuyoshi Ugachi and Fukatsu Takuya, on the train after the first day of Japanese Nationals, 6/25/09. Komazawa Univ. head coach and star runners.
Reiko Tosa, Yoshio Koide, Shuichi Akaba, Manabu Kawagoe, Naohiro Okada and others, in the stands at Big Arch Stadium, Hiroshima, 6/25/09.
Takayuki Nishida, leading a jogging group at Kaigakan, 6/24/09. 2001 Edmonton World Championships marathoner with a 2:08 PB.
Naohiro Okada, at the National Stadium during the National University Ekiden qualifying meet, 6/21/09. Anchor of 2006 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia Univ.
Takayuki Nishida, leading a jogging group at Kaigakan, 6/10/09. 2001 Edmonton World Championships marathoner with a 2:08 PB.
Yuki Sato, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 6/1/09. First-year Nissin Shokuhin runner who just ran 27:38 in California last month.
Hiroyuki Ono, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 5/30/09. The legendary guy who collapsed 400m from the finish at the 2008 Hakone Ekiden, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/29/09. Former Olympic marathoner, now a coach with Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Wilson Kipketer, in the VIP area at the finish of the Copenhagen Marathon, 5/24/09. WR holder, 800 m and 1000 m.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 5/17/09. Former Olympic marathoner, now a coach with Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuki Sato, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 5/16/09. First-year Nissin Shokuhin runner who just ran 27:38 at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational in California.
Shigeru Soh, Akemi Masuda and Erick Wainaina, on the set of a TV commercial shoot I was in with them in Shinjuku and at Makuhari, 5/15/09. Former marathon national record holders and two-time Olympic marathon medalist, respectively.
Dai Tamesue, Shingo Suetsugu and Erick Wainaina, on the set of a TV commercial shoot I was in with them at Makuhari, Chiba, 5/14/09. Two-time World Championships bronze medalist, Olympic bronze medalist, and two-time Olympic medalist, respectively.
Kenta Oshima and Bene Zama, working out at Oda Field, 5/9/09. Two of Team Nissin Shokuhin's top runners.
Yuichiro Ueno and Tatsunori Shinoura, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 5/8/09. Team S&B runners. Ueno just got back from a month in California running all the big spring meets.
Kaori Yoshida, running at the Imperial Palace, 5/2/09. 2008 Casablanca Marathon winner.
Yuri Kano, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m., 5/1/09. First time I've seen her since London.
Kazuma Kaikura and Keizo Maruyama, cooling down in Yoyogi Park, 4/30/09. Junior members of Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Manabu Kawagoe, running at Oda Field, 4/28/09. Coach of Yuri Kano and SWAC, he just got back from the London Marathon today and he was at the track running a workout.
Katsuhiko Hanada and Seiji Kushibe, at Daito Bunka Univ., 4/12/09. Former Waseda Univ. star runners and Olympian (Hanada) and 1-hr. national record holder (Kushibe), now coaching Jobu and Josai Univ. respectively.
Hiromi Taniguchi, coaching Team Tokyo Denryoku at Oda Field, 4/9/09. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Gideon Ngatuny, doing long, hard XC intervals (5k repeats?) at 6:30 a.m. in Yoyogi Park, with Kenjiro Jitsui trying to follow, 4/9/09. One of the top 3 Kenyans in Japan and his coach, an Atlanta Olympics marathoner, getting ready for a track race on Sunday.
Megumi Oshima, running at Oda Field, 4/7/09. Three-time World Championships team member.
Kenjiro Jitsui, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 3/29/09. Atlanta Olympics marathoner and Team Nissin Shokuhin coach.
Kazuma Kaikura, working out alone in Yoyogi Park, 3/28/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Yuko Arimori and Kaori Yoshida, watching the Tokyo Marathon along the course, 3/22/09. 2nd year in a row getting a hi-five from Arimori.
Toshinari Takaoka and Tomohiro Seto, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 3/21/09. Marathon national record holder and his teammate, getting ready for Tokyo tomorrow.
Akio Usami, jogging at Oda Field, 3/21/09. `60`s-`70`s-era Olympic marathon great.
Boaz Cheboiywo, working out at Oda Field, 3/20/09. 2002 NCAA 10000 m champion and Tokyo Marathon pacemaker.
Akio Usami, Gelindo Bordin, Erick Wainaina, Naohiro Okada, Megumi Oshima, Ari Ichihashi, Yuko Arimori and Akemi Masuda at the Tokyo Marathon expo, 3/20/09.
Yuichi Takahashi, working out at Oda Field, 3/17/09. Athens Paralympics men's marathon gold medalist.
Ari Ichihashi, at Queen's Park mall, Yokohama, 3/11/09. Olympic and World Championships marathoner.
Kazuma Kaikura, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 3/5/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Tomoya Onishi or Kazuki Onishi, outside the east side of Shibuya Station, 3/2/09. One of 2009 Hakone Ekiden winner Toyo Univ.'s star identical twins, but I'm not sure which one it was.
Mara Yamauchi, running along the Tamagawa, 3/1/09. Winner, 2009 Marugame Half Marathon and 2008 Osaka International Women's Marathon.
Bene Zama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 2/17/09. One of Team Nissin Shokuhin's star rookies.
Manabu Itayama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/16/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Manabu Itayama, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 2/11/09. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Kiyotaka Shimamura, shaking a rock out of his shoe in Yoyogi Park, 2/2/09. Team S&B runner and 2006 Ohtawara Marathon winner.
Scott Westcott and Dale Warrander, in the Oita Airport gift shop, 2/2/09. Invited elites at the 2009 Beppu-Oita Marathon.
Yuichi Takahashi and Muneyuki Ojima, in the Oita Stadium locker room before the Beppu-Oita Marathon, 2/1/09. 2004 Paralympics marathon gold medalist, with 2-time 2:08 marathoner Ojima as his guide. Plus most of the elite field while warming up.
Yasushi Sakaguchi, Rikuren head of men's long distance running, and Yuki Kawauchi, Gakushuin Univ. ace Hakone runner, at the Beppu-Oita Marathon pre-race dinner, 1/31/09.
Gideon Ngatuny, running alone on the uphill in the Blue Tent Machi area of Yoyogi Park, 1/6/09. Winner of 2008 Nagoya Half Marathon and Kumamoto Kosa 10 Miler.
Daichi Umeno, running alone in Yoyogi Park, 12/18/08. Team Nissin Shokuhin member.
Takeyuki Nakayama, watching his son Takuya run at the National Long Distance Meet, Tokyo, 11/29/08. Former national record holder in 10000 m and marathon, and two-time Olympic marathon 4th place finisher.
Hiromi Taniguchi, in an access hallway at the National Stadium, 11/29/08, and again later in the stands. 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Kiyotaka Shimamura, jogging in Yoyogi Park, and again later in the stands at the National Stadium, 11/29/08. 2006 Ohtawara Marathon winner; coached by Toshihiko Seko at Team S&B.
Hiromi Taniguchi, watching his athletes at Nittai Univ Time Trial, 11/22/08. Team Tokyo Denryoku head coach and 1991 World Championships marathon gold medalist.
Stephen Mayaka, watching his athletes at Nittai Univ. Time Trial, 11/22/08. Sozo Gakuen Univ. head coach and former Yamanashi Gakuin Univ. Hakone Ekiden winning team.
Yuichiro Ueno, running with a female friend in Yoyogi Park, 11/20/08. Former Chuo Univ. Hakone Ekiden star who joined Team S&B in the spring and is running the Ohtawara 10 km this Sunday.
Three of the Second Wind women on 11/20/08, but I see them pretty much every day now and am not going to list them anymore.
Yuri Kano, in street clothes, limping up the hill toward Oda Field, 11/18/08. 2nd place, 2008 Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 11/17/08. 2008 Casablanca Marathon winner.
Akemi Ozaki and Kaori Yoshida, outside the National Stadium during the Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon, 11/16/08. Ozaki's sister Yoshimi won, and teammate Yuri Kano came 2nd.
Naohiro Okada, working for Asics at the National Stadium during the Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon, 11/16/06. Anchor of 2006 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia Univ.
Yuki Kawauchi, Takuma Sasaya, Masaya Mori and many other university stars, warming up at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/16/08. Kawauchi started next to me and finished 3rd.
Akemi Ozaki and Kaori Yoshida doing warmups at Oda Field, 11/15/08. The other half of Second Wind AC's elite team.
Yuri Kano and Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Koen, early a.m. on 11/13/08. Second Wind AC pro marathoners. I see Shimahara almost every day these days, so I will probably stop listing her.
Yuki Kawauchi, working out at Oda Field, 11/12/08. Gakushuin Univ. ace runner and 2008 New Caledonia Half Marathon winner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, running at Oda Field, 11/11/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Yuri Kano, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 11/11/08. The safest bet to be top Japanese at the Tokyo International Women's Marathon on Sunday.
Unidentified elite woman jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 11/11/08. She looked a bit like Naoko Sakamoto but probably wasn't.
Unknown Kenyan, most likely Daniel Gitau, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 11/8/08. I only saw him in profile so I'm not 100% certain it was Gitau.
Kunimitsu Ito, showing someone how to throw a discus in Yoyogi Park, 11/8/08. Legendary 2:07 marathoner and current Team Kanebo head coach.
Akemi Ozaki and Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Park and then working out at Oda Field, 11/8/08. Elite marathoners with Second Wind AC.
Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Park again, early a.m. on 11/6/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field with Kiyoko Shimahara handing her water, 11/4/08. Winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon.
Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging in Yoyogi Park, early a.m. on 11/4/08. Silver medalist, 2006 Asian Games marathon.
Kazuyoshi Tokumoto, jogging by himself in Yoyogi Park after the East Japan Jitsugyodan Ekiden, 11/3/08. Team Nissin captain and former Hosei University star runner.
Team Nissin, jogging in Yoyogi Park after the East Japan Jitsugyodan Ekiden, 11/3/08. One of the top corporate teams in Japan.
Erick Wainaina, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 11/1/08. 2-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Kiyoko Shimahara, working out in Yoyogi Park, 11/1/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Akemi Ozaki, working out in Yoyogi Park, 11/1/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon and Honolulu Marathon.
Akemi Ozaki, running up Inokashira Dori to Yoyogi Koen, 10/30/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int'l Women's Marathon and Honolulu Marathon.
Kiyoko Shimahara, working out at Oda Field, 10/28/08. 3rd place, 2008 Chicago Marathon.
Akemi Ozaki, handing water to Kiyoko Shimahara at Oda Field, 10/28/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo International Women's Marathon and Honolulu Marathon.
Ari Ichihashi, again, at the National Stadium, 10/23/08. 2000 Sydney Olympics marathoner.
Ari Ichihashi, at an Adidas event in Yokohama, 10/22/08. Silver medalist, Seville World Championships marathon.
Bene Zama, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 10/21/08. Former Senshu Univ. ace; joined Team Nissin Shokuhin this year.
Hiroaki Oyagi, addressing his team after the Takashimadaira Road Race, 10/19/08. Head coach of Japan's dominant ekiden university, Komazawa.
Shinji Kawashima, standing near his team's tarp after the Takashimadaira Road Race, 10/19/08. Toyo University head coach, Sydney Olympics marathoner, and Beijing Paralympics marathon guide runner.
Team Yakult, training at Nojiriko, Nagano, 10/11-13/08. Jitsugyodan team whose star Daniel Njenga ran the Chicago Marathon on 10/13/08.
Akemi Ozaki, talking to friends at Oda Field, 10/1/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon and 2007 Honolulu Marathon.
Yuki Kawauchi, working out at Oda Field, 10/1/08. 2008 New Caledonia Half Marathon winner and top Gakushuin Univ. runner.
Yuichi Takahashi, working out at Oda Field, 9/30/08. 2nd place blind runner, Beijing Paralympics marathon, and 1st place blind runner, Athens Paralympics marathon.
Team S&B, jogging at Gosho, 9/26/08. Jitsugyodan team coached by Toshihiko Seko.
Yuri Kano, again, crossing Inokashira Dori on her way to Yoyogi Park, 9/21/08. 3rd place, 2008 New York City Half Marathon.
Yuri Kano, cooling down in the early A.M. in Yoyogi Park, 9/20/08. 3rd place, 2008 New York City Half Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field, 9/16/08. 3rd place, 2008 Hokkaido Marathon; winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon; Asian Junior XC Champion.
Akio Usami, working out at Oda Field, 8/13/08. 60's and early 70's Olympic marathon great.
Kiyoko Shimahara, working out at Oda Field, 8/5/08. 10th place, 2008 NYC Half Marathon.
Manabu Kawagoe, going into the soba shop behind my apartment, 7/22/08. Second Wind AC head coach.
Seiji Kushibe, at Citabria in Nishi-Azabu, 7/10/08. Japanese men`s national 1-hour record holder and Josai University coach.
Kiyoko Shimahara, jogging through the alleys near Yoyogi Hachiman Station, 7/4/08. 2007 World Championships marathoner.
Kiyotaka Shimamura and Tatsunori Shinoura, cooling down near Harajuku Station, 7/4/08. Team S&B runners.
Yuichiro Ueno, cooling down at the Kaigakan oval, 7/4/08. One of Japan`s best university runners, Ueno graduated this year and joined Team S&B.
Keizo Maruyama, near Sangubashi Station heading toward Yoyogi Park, 7/4/08. Former Tokai Univ. star runner, now running for Team Nissin Shokuhin.
Yuichi Takahashi, working out at Oda Field, 7/1/08. Athens Paralympics marathon gold medalist.
Kiyoko Shimahara, Kaori Yoshida and Yuri Kano, working out at Oda Field, 7/1/08. 2007 World Championships marathoner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon winner and 2007 Hokkaido Marathon winner, respectively.
Erick Wainaina, working out at the Imperial Palace, 6/30/08. 2-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Yuri Kano, again, in street clothes walking down the street outside my apartment, 6/30/08. Ran in National Champs 10k on Friday.
Noriko Matsuoka, outside Todoroki Stadium after the women`s 5000 m, 6/29/08.
Yuko Matsumiya, Naohiro Okada and Masahiro Okada outside Todoroki Stadium after the men`s 5000 m, 6/28/08.
Yuri Kano and Manabu Kawagoe, talking to a crowd of supporters outside Todoroki Stadium after the 10000 m, 6/27/08. Winner of 2008 Sapporo International Half Marathon.
Manabu Kawagoe, crossing the street outside my apartment around lunchtime, 6/27/08. Second Wind AC head coach.
Hideaki Date, Naoki Okamoto, Masaki Shimojo, Tomohiro Seto, Tetsuhiko Kin, Hiroaki Oyagi, Hisanori Kitajima and others milling around outside Todoroki Stadium after the first day of the National T&F Championships, 6/26/08.
Yuri Kano, jogging in Yoyogi Park early a.m. 6/26/08. Winner, 2008 Sapporo International Half Marathon, preparing for the National T&F Championships 10000 m on 6/27/08.
Kiyoko Shimahara and Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field, 6/24/08. World Championships marathoner and 2006 Hokkaido Marathon winner, respectively.
Yuri Kano, waiting to cross the street in front of my apartment, 6/24/08. Winner, 2008 Sapporo International Half Marathon and 2007 Hokkaido Marathon.
Masaki Shimojo, watching the All-Japan University Ekiden Qualifying Meet at Oda Field, 6/22/08. Winner, 2008 Kumanichi 30 km Road Race and Team Konica-Minolta member.
Keisuke Sawaki, watching the All-Japan University Ekiden Qualifying Meet at Oda Field, 6/22/08. Rikuren official, road race commentator and former Juntendo runner.
Kiyoko Shimahara, pacemaking a recreational runner group at Oda Field, 6/17/08. Silver medalist, 2006 Asian Games marathon; 6th place, 2007 World Championships marathon. Also ran the Sapporo Int`l 1/2 Marathon on 6/15/08.
Ari Ichihashi, at the National Stadium, 6/13/08. Olympic marathoner and World Championships marathon silver medalist.
Akemi Ozaki, working out at Oda Field, 6/10/08. 2nd place, 2006 Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon and 2007 Honolulu Marathon.
Kensuke Takezawa, watching the half marathon with teammates at the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. Possibly Japan`s best university runner, but has been injured since December and has not raced since January. Runs for Waseda Univ.
Hiroaki Oyagi, striding through the crowd outside the stadium at the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. Head coach of 2008 Hakone Ekiden winners Komazawa Univ.
Naohiro Okada, outside the stadium before the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. Anchor of 2007 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia Univ.
Kota Yaginuma, watching the half marathon with friends at the Kanto Univ. T&F Champs, 5/25/08. 2006 Hakone Ekiden 6th stage winner, Hosei Univ.
Yuichi Takahashi, waiting for a train at Yoyogi Hachiman Station, 5/17/08. Athens Paralympics marathon gold medalist.
Julius Gitahi, running along the road next to Yoyogi Park, 5/15/08. Sydney Olympic Games 5000 m competitor; winner, 2007 Hokkaido Marathon; 3rd, 2008 Tokyo Marathon.
Kaori Yoshida and Manabu Kawagoe, walking down the street outside my apartment this morning while I was eating breakfast, 4/24/08. Second Wind AC elite runner and head coach.
Akio Usami, working out at Oda Field, 4/23/08. 60`s-era Olympic marathon great.
Amby Burfoot, Robert Cheruiyot, Steve Jones, Greg Meyer, Sonia O`Sullivan, Lance Armstrong, etc., at various places in Boston before and during the Boston Marathon, 4/20-21/08.
Gord Dickson and Ed Whitlock, Canadian distance running greats, before and after the Around the Bay 30k in Hamilton, Canada, 3/29-30/08.
Kaori Yoshida, working out at Oda Field, 3/25/08. Winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon; Asian Junior XC Champion.
Akemi Ozaki, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 3/19/08. Tokyo International Women's Marathon: 2nd place, 2006; 4th place, 2007.
Kaori Yoshida, at Oda Field, 3/18/08. Winner, 2006 Hokkaido Marathon; Asian Junior XC Champion.
Manabu Kawagoe, at Oda Field, 3/18/08. I've seen him every Tuesday night for weeks now, so unless I bump into him somewhere unexpected I won't include him anymore.
Mari Tanigawa, starting next to me at the Chunichi Toyohashi Half Marathon, 3/16/08. Winner, '94 Paris Marathon and '91 Tokyo International Women's Marathon, still going strong.
Ertiban Abera, at Oda Field and hanging around my neighborhood during the first part of March. New Ethiopian jitsugyodan recruit with PBs of 13:38.92 and 27:28.82.
Kiyoko Shimahara, hanging out with coach Manabu Kawagoe at Oda Field, 3/11/08. Silver medalist, 2006 Asian Games marathon; 6th, 2007 World Championships marathon; 11th, 2008 Nagoya International Women's Marathon.
Manabu Kawagoe, walking by himself in Shibuya, 3/4/08. Former Shiseido head coach, now coaching Second Wind AC.
Toshinari Suwa, running from Sangubashi to Yoyogi Park, 2/29/08. Athens Olympian and 2:07 marathoner. He ran 2:09:16 at the Tokyo Marathon but failed to make the Beijing Olympic team.
Erick Wainaina, talking to fans in the finish facilities after the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Two-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Jon Brown, walking glumly through the finish facilities after DNFing at the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Two-time Olympic 4th place finisher.
Mari Tanigawa, cheering runners at Hibiya Park during the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Veteran elite Japanese marathon woman, still going strong.
Yuko Arimori, cheering runners and giving me a high-five at Hibiya Park during the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Two-time Olympic marathon medalist.
Kenji Kimihara, running next to me for the first 8km of the Tokyo Marathon, 2/17/08. Mexico City Olympics marathon medalist.
Ari Ichihashi, yet again, speaking at the Adidas booth at the Tokyo Marathon expo, 2/15/08. Reitred Olympic and World Championships marathoner.
Akemi Ozaki, jogging in Yoyogi Park, 2/9/08. Tokyo International Women's Marathon: 2nd place, 2006; 4th place, 2007.
Manabu Kawagoe, again, running during a Second Wind workout at Oda Field, 1/29/08. Former Team Shiseido head coach.
Manabu Kawagoe, standing by himself watching Second Wind AC train in Yoyogi Park, 1/12/08. Former Team Shiseido head coach; left Shiseido along with most of their team in '07 to found Second Wind.
Akio Usami, running on the track at Oda Field, 12/26/07. 60's and 70's Olympic marathon great.
Team Nissin, training at Oda Field, 12/15/07. One of the best jitsugyodan teams. The full A-squad and coaching staff were present, including Toshinari Suwa, Ngatuny Gideon, Julius Gitahi and Kazuyoshi Tokumoto.
Yuki Kawauchi, training at Oda Field, 12/15/07. Gakushuin Daigakuin ace runner.
Ari Ichihashi, at the Adidas Night Runners afterparty at the Komatsu Building in Ginza, 12/12/07. Silver medallist, marathon, Seville World Championships; Sydney Olympic marathoner.
Toshinari Suwa, running by himself in Yoyogi Park, 12/4/07. 6th place in Athens Olympics; 7th place in 2007 Osaka World Championships.
Yasushi Sakaguchi, waiting to cross the street with a staff member outside Akasaka Stn., Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Head coach of Team Chugoku Denryoku.
Deriba Merga, walking along the street by himself, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. 4th place finisher in 2007 World Road Running Championships.
Mark Carroll, having dinner with Brett Cartwright in the ballroom at the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Irish national record holder, 5000 m and 10000 m.
Brett Cartwright, having dinner with Mark Carroll in the ballroom at the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Ace Australian marathoner.
Takashi Nakata, in the ballroom at the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Notorious suicidal marathon frontrunner.
Hailu Negussie, standing in the lobby of the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Fukuoka, 12/1/07. Boston and Hofu Marathon winner.
Akio Usami, coaching and jogging at Oda Field, 11/21/07. `60`s-`70`s-era Olympic marathon great.
Rie Hasegawa, sitting on a bench looking tired at the National Stadium after the Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon, 11/18/07. Supermodel turned talented amateur marathon runner.
Chie Matsuda, talking to my girlfriend at the National Stadium after the Tokyo Int`l Women`s Marathon, 11/18/07. 1st-generation Japanese marathon woman, Shiseido spokeswoman and public favorite.
Yuki Kawauchi, sitting on the grass with his family inside the stadium at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/18/07. Kanto Gakuren Senbatsu Hakone Ekiden runner.
Takashi Nakata, warming up and then when I passed him around the 15 km point at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/18/07. Founder of Kanto RC.
Takuma Sasaya, warming up behind the stadium at the Ageo City Half Marathon, 11/18/07. Nihon University ace Hakone Ekiden runner.
Yuri Kano, in street clothes watching her Second Wind teammates at Ekiden Carnival in Showa Kinen Park, 11/10/07. Winner of 2007 Hokkaido Marathon; 3rd place, 2007 Osaka Int`l Women`s Marathon.
Takashi Nakata, running with Kanto RC (overall winners) at Ekiden Carnival in Showa Kinen Park, 11/10/07. Founder of Kanto RC and notorious suicidal crash and burn marathon frontrunner.
Naohiro Okada, running with Ginza Runners (winners of mixed division) at Ekiden Carnival in Showa Kinen Park, 11/10/07. Anchor of 2006 Hakone Ekiden winners Asia University.
Ari Ichihashi, coaching an Adidas event in Yokohama, 11/4/07. Silver medallist, marathon, Seville World Championships; Sydney Olympic marathoner.
Keizo Maruyama, jogging alone early in the morning in Yoyogi Park, 10/20/07. Former Tokai University ace; currently running for Nissin.
Yuri Kano, waiting for the light to change at the intersection outside my apartment and then heading south on Yamate-Dori, 10/3/07. 4th place, 2007 New York Half-Marathon; women`s marathon alternate, 2007 Osaka World Championships.
Yuichiro Ueno, looking over my shoulder at the results board after winning a 1500m at Oda Field and later standing outside a van nearby, 9/16/07. Chuo University`s star runner and one of the best university runners in Japan.
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