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Fukuoka General Division Runner Sonoda 4th in Massive PB - "Everything Paid Off"

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20161205/ath16120505000003-n1.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner
photo by Dr. Helmut Winter

At the Dec. 4 Fukuoka International Marathon, a selection race for next August's London World Championships, general division entrant Hayato Sonoda (27, Team Kurosaki Harima) finished 4th in 2:10:40, a massive new PB over his 2:17:40 last year in Fukuoka.  "I've never been able to run the kind of time I thought I could, but finally everything I've done has paid off," he said. During the race Sonoda told himself, "Stay positive and don't lose heart." Sure enough, when the time came late in the race and the other athletes around him were fading he opened up and blossomed.  Moving up rapidly through the field he ended as the second Japanese finisher, putting himself into consideration for the World Championships team.

photo © 2016 Dr. Helmut Winter
all rights reserved

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