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Florence Kiplagat, Youngjun Ji Headline Sapporo International Half Marathon

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/etc/news/20110616-OHT1T00176.htm?from=related

translated and edited by Brett Larner

On June 16 Rikuren announced the elite field for the July 3 Sapporo International Half Marathon. Headlining the race are 2010 World Half Marathon women's champion Florence Jebet Kiplagat (Kenya) and 2010 Asian Games men's marathon gold medalist Youngjun Ji (Korea). Defending champions Cyrus Njui (Kenya/Team Hitachi Cable) and Yuri Kano (Second Wind AC) and 2009 Sapporo winner Gideon Ngatuny (Kenya/Team Nissin Shokuhin) will also return.

At the top of the domestic men's field are three members of the Japanese team for this summer's Daegu World Championships marathon, Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref.), Yoshinori Oda (Team Toyota) and Kentaro Nakamoto (Team Yasukawa Denki). Also in the women's race is 10000 m national record holder Yoko Shibui (Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo). The popular Kawauchi will run Sapporo as one of four tuneup races for the World Championships. "I'd like to break my PB [1:02:40]," he commented when asked about his plans for the race.

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Rob Cunningham said…
Will the Korean runner come after the bombshell about doping involving Korean National Marathon Team coach?
June 17, 2011 at 8:07 PM
Brett Larner said…
Hmmn, I hadn't heard yet at the time I put this up. Good question. According to this article it looks like anonymous allegations at this stage:

http://www.supersport.com/athletics/international/news/110617/Top_marathon_coach_probed

Bummer if true as we are fans of Ji's.
June 17, 2011 at 9:26 PM
Anonymous said…
Kind of surprised to read you´re fans of Ji´s. After the Asian Games marathon last year you called his run "unsportsmanlike", "remarkably dirty" etc.

Joe
June 17, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Brett Larner said…
I described his run at the Asian Games as "outstanding if unsportsmanlike," which it was. He ran a great race and it was a shame he had to tarnish it by interfering with Shami's run.
June 18, 2011 at 1:05 AM
Kevin said…
Yoko Shibui pulls out of Sapporo.
June 28, 2011 at 11:10 AM
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