Takeyasu Makes Top 10 in Beijing Marathon

by Brett Larner

Team Chudenko's Masahiko Takeyasu ran the Oct. 19 Beijing Marathon, placing 9th in his second marathon in a modest 2:15:10. Takeyasu debuted at February's Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon where he was 4th in 2:14:18. He was the lone Japanese runner to make the top ten as no elite Japanese women placed.

As in Beppu-Oita, Takeyasu was beaten by Morroco's Rachid Kisri, who in Beijing was 4th in 2:11:31. Also finishing ahead of Takeyasu was Chinese national record holder Longyun Ren, who ran 2:14:27 to finish 7th this year after a memorable national record 2:08:15 while finishing 2nd at last year's Beijing Marathon.

Kenyans took the top three positions, with Benjamin Kiptoo winning in 2:10:14. Chinese teenager Xue Bai won the women's race in 2:26:37.

(c) 2008 Brett Larner
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