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'Ngatuny Snubs AK Call to Marathon Squad'

http://www.eastandard.net/sports/InsidePage.php?id=1144024446&cid=39
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BrynRunning said…
Do you reckon it's actually a snub (totally justified if it is) or that his corporate team wants him to run ekiden and he's trying to pass it off as a snub Brett?
September 24, 2009 at 6:02 AM
Brett Larner said…
I suspect the main reason he is turning it down is the physical presence requirement for foreign athletes based in Japan. There's a minimum number of days they must be physically present within Japan during each calendar year in order to retain their visa and position on a team. Many Africans based in Japan use most of them up in the spring and summer - look up the old articles about Wanjiru running his marathon debut in NYC for another example. I know Ngatuny has spent a lot of time outside Japan already this year, so I suspect that is the main reason Nissin Shokuhin said no, not the Chiba Ekiden. Although in terms of promoting their products (Cup Noodle etc.) it wouldn't be surprising if Nissin preferred to have Ngatuny rocking in a race televised in Japan rather than overseas, even a world-level race like the World Half.
September 24, 2009 at 10:50 AM
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