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Mogusu Leaves Aidem and Returns to Kenya

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2011/11/07/kiji/K20111107001983310.html

translated by Brett Larner

Mogusu at October's Hakone Ekiden Yosenkai 20 km. Photo (c) 2011 Daniel Seite

On Nov. 7 it was announced that Kenyan Mekubo Mogusu (24), who produced sensational running at the Hakone Ekiden and elsewhere during his time at Yamanashi Gakuin University, left his corporate sponsor Aidem at the end of October.  According to a source involved in the situation Mogusu has already moved back to Kenya but will continue running and is targeting next year's Tokyo Marathon.  An Aidem spokesperson said that due to Mogusu's recent focus on the marathon, "Mogusu told us that he wanted a change in his training environment and chose this course of action."

Translator's note: Mogusu came to Japan one day after Samuel Wanjiru, and the two were rivals throughout their high school years.  When Wanjiru went pro Mogusu went to Yamanashi Gakuin where he became a nationally-known figure after spectacular course record runs at the Hakone Ekiden and three sub-hour half marathons.  Since going pro he has struggled, unsuccessful thus far in his move up to the marathon.
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