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Osaka Marathon Set to Raise Field Size to 30,000

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/f-sp-tp0-20150210-1432840.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

On Feb. 10 the Osaka Marathon organizing committee announced that its fifth running will take place on Oct. 25.  The full marathon field size will be increased by 2000 to a record-setting 30,000, with runners in the 8.8 km Challenge Run bringing the total number of participants to 32,000.

The increase in the marathon field is made up of 1000 places reserved for people who applied unsuccessfully for the third and fourth runnings, and another 1000 for "Citizen Athletes" who have run specific qualifying times. 

Applications will open on the official race website in April.  If the number of applicants exceeds the field limit entry will take place via lottery.  145,000 people applied for last year's race.  For more information call the Osaka Marathon call center at 06-6445-3978 beginning Feb. 19.

Translator's note: Last year with an official field size of 28,000 Osaka had 29,921 starters and 28,067 finishers, ranking it 7th in the world.  With the increase Osaka may join New York, Chicago, London, Tokyo, Berlin and Paris on the list of the only races to regularly host fields with over 30,000 finishers.

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