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200 Hometown Supporters Congratulate Kawauchi on Boston Victory


On April 30 Yuki Kawauchi''s hometown of Kuki, Saitama held a party to celebrate his becoming the first Japanese winner of the Boston Marathon in 31 years. Kawauchi told the crowd of local supporters, "This was the most marathonesque marathon of my career as a marathoner."

Over 200 people packed into the Kuki Central Community Center to congratulate him. Excited to see more people than he had expected, Kawauchi spoke for around 38 minutes about his Boston experience, sharing his thoughts and experiences during the race with crowd as he told them, "When I looked through my data on Wikipedia I saw that I had never failed in a rainy weather race. I thought, 'Things are going to go great this time!' Before the race my manager told me, 'This is the day you were born for,' and when I was running it really felt that way, that I had been born to run Boston that day. Even when I was in 2nd I had the kind of rush you get from leading, and that was a lot of fun. Afterward it was so cold that I eventually ended up getting treated in the recovery room."

Upon his triumphant return to Japan Kawauchi shocked everyone by abruptly announcing at the airport that he would retire from his job next year to go pro. Speaking with passion of his decision he said, "I'd like to give lectures to help convey what I've learned around the world. People might wonder if I'm really a pro, but I want to become the only truly professional pro runner." Regarding whether he will try for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics marathon team he was noncommittal as he said, "I won't know until I go pro and try taking on the summer."

At the very end of the event Kawauchi was reunited with his Boston Marathon champion's cup and crown which he had forgotten on the airplane after arriving at Narita. "I'm glad everyone was so happy to get to see the cup," he laughed in embarrassment.


source articles:
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20180430-00000151-spnannex-spo
https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2018/05/01/0011214301.shtml
translated by Brett Larner
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