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Two Pro Runners Hit By Truck During Half Marathon

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2011/03/08/kiji/K20110308000390760.html

translated by Brett Larner

Tamana city officials announced on Mar. 8 that two corporate runners at this year's 62nd edition of the Kanaguri Hai Tamana Half Marathon, held Mar. 6, were hit from behind by a small truck during the race. The city's spokesperson said, "We have been late in issuing reports on the accident to the local athletics federation and media. We deeply apologize."

According to city officials, the athletes injured in the accident, both belonging to the Kurosaki Harima corporate team, were team captain Mamoru Iwaida, 28, and Shuzaburo Kubo, 20. Iwaida suffered only minor injuries, but Kubo's left ankle was broken and he will be out of training for at least six weeks as a result. Both runners dropped out of the race after being hit.

At the time of the accident the two runners were roughly 16 km from the start running southbound on the prefectural highway when a small truck driven by a locally-residing 84 year-old man struck them from behind. The driver said he did not notice the two athletes until it was too late to avoid them. Investigators said the road at the site of the accident was a single lane in each direction and that the city had not properly closed it to traffic.
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