Mathathi 44:59 at Kumamoto Kosa 10-Miler

by Brett Larner

Junior 10-mile world record holder Martin Mathathi (Kenya/Suzuki Hamamatsu AC) became the first man to break the 45 minute barrier three times at the Dec. 5 Kumamoto Kosa 10-Miler, taking his fifth win with a time of 44:59. His nearest competitor, John Thuo (Kenya/Team Toyota) was a fair way back in 45:47. Among Japanese competitors, who have a separate start from foreign runners, Ryuji Watanabe (Team Toyota Kyushu) was the top finisher in 47:21, the promised field of top-ranked young elites being entirely absent. All told 37 men broke 49 minutes.

2010 Kumamoto Kosa 10-Mile Road Race
click here for complete results
International Men's 10-Miler
1. Martin Mathathi (Kenya/Suzuki Hamamatsu AC) - 44:59
2. John Thuo (Kenya/Team Toyota) - 45:47
3. Micah Njeru (Kenya/Team Toyota Boshoku) - 46:45
4. Alex Mwangi (Kenya/Team YKK) - 47:48

Japanese Men's 10-Miler
1. Ryuji Watanabe (Team Toyota Kyushu) - 47:21
2. Daisuke Matsufuji (Team Kanebo) - 47:37
3. Yuya Konishi (Team Toyota Kyushu) - 47:43
4. Takahiko Onishi (Team NTN) - 47:45
5. Masato Ando (Team Sanyo Tokushu Seiko) - 47:46
6. Tomohiro Shiiya (Team Tokyo Denryoku) - 47:46
7. Koichi Sakai (Team Fujitsu) - 47:46
8. Tomoya Adachi (Team Asahi Kasei) - 47:48
9. Yoshikazu Kawazoe (Team Asahi Kasei) - 47:49
10. Kosuke Murasashi (Team YKK) - 47:50

(c) 2010 Brett Larner
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