Two weeks after running 2:32:30 at the Tokyo Marathon and a week after a 2:34:49 in Nagoya, Hiroko Yoshitomi (Memolead) ran Taiwan's Wan Jin Shi Marathon. Hoping to break the 2:34:53 course record, Yoshitomi led the lead pack of six women through most of the first half. But nearing the turnaround point she faded, leaving eventual winner Naomi Jepkosgei Maiyo (Kenya) to claim the win in a new course record time of 2:34:08. Runner-up Meseret Gola Sisay (Ethiopia) was also under the old course record, just, in 2:34:51. Yoshitomi fell off pace to take 6th in 2:48:45. The course record also fell in the men's race, with winner Matthew Kipsaat (Kenya) negative splitting a 2:11:17 for the win. Kipsaat was the only runner to go under the old course record of 2:13:05.
Eriko Kushima (Noritz) was faster than Yoshitomi at the Seoul Marathon, running 2:40:55 for 10th. Kazuki Takeshita (SDF) ran 2:14:14 for 12th in the men's race, the best time by a Japanese man outside Japan so far this year.
Twelve time zones away, Ken Nakayama ran his final race in the Chuo University uniform at the United Airlines NYC Half. Running in the main pack throughout the first half of the race, Nakayama experienced some twinges in his right thigh on the downhill off the Williamsburg Bridge and began to lose touch. In the hills of the final 5 km he felt increasing discomfort in his thigh and slowed to finish 19th in 1:05:48, more than four minutes off his best. Belay Tilahun (Ethiopian) won the race up front, running down early breakaway leader Daniel Mesfun (Eritrea) and favorite Paul Chelimo (U.S.A.) for the win in 1:02:10. Women's world record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) pulled away after a slow first 5 km to win by a minute in 1:10:07.
United Airlines NYC Half
New York, U.S.A., 3/17/19Women
1. Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) - 1:10:07
2. Mary Ngugi (Kenya) - 1:11:07
3. Buze Diriba (Ethiopia) - 1:11:07
4. Emma Bates (U.S.A.) - 1:11:33
5. Des Linden (U.S.A.) - 1:11:22
6. Birtukan Fente Alemu (Ethiopia) - 1:12:17
Men
1. Belay Tilahun (Ethiopia) - 1:02:10
2. Daniel Mesfun (Eritrea) - 1:02:16
3. Paul Chelimo (U.S.A.) - 1:02:19 - debut
4. Jared Ward (U.S.A.) - 1:02:33
5. Noah Droddy (U.S.A.) - 1:02:39
6. Brogan Austin (U.S.A.) - 1:02:41
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20. Ken Nakayama (Japan/Chuo Univ.) - 1:05:48
New Taipei City Wan Jin Shi Marathon
New Taipei City, Taiwan, 3/17/19complete results
Women
1. Naomi Jepkosgei Maiyo (Kenya) - 2:34:08 - CR
2. Meseret Gola Sisay (Ethiopia) - 2:34:51
3. Ednah Mukhwana (Kenya) - 2:36:01
4. Sorome Negash Amente (Ethiopia) - 2:36:11
5. Nancy Jebet Koech (Kenya) - 2:38:21
6. Hiroko Yoshitomi (Japan/Memolead) - 2:48:45
Men
1. Matthew Kipsaat (Kenya) - 2:11:17 - CR
2. Philip Cheruiyot Kangogo (Kenya) - 2:13:57
3. Alex Chepkwik Saekwo (Kenya) - 2:15:18
4. Abraham Girma Bekele (Ethiopia) - 2:16:12
5. Willy Kiplangat Ngelel (Kenya) - 2:19:37
6. Mike Kiprotich Mutai (Kenya) - 2:25:32
Seoul Marathon
Seoul, South Korea, 3/17/19Women
1. Desi Jisa Mokonin (Bahrain) - 2:23:44
2. Hirut Tibebu (Ethiopia) - 2:24:05
3. Celestine Chepchirchir (Kenya) - 2:24:48
4. Zinash Mekonnen (Ethiopia) - 2:25:42
5. Mercy Kibarus (Kenya) - 2:27:20
6. Seul-ki Ahn (South Korea) - 2:27:28
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10. Eriko Kushima (Noritz) - 2:40:55
Men
1. Thomas Kiplagat (Kenya) - 2:06:00
2. Elisha Rotich (Kenya) - 2:06:12
3. Mike Kiptum (Kenya) - 2:06:22
4. Fikre Bekele (Ethiopia) - 2:06:27
5. Robert Kipkemboi (Kenya) - 2:07:09
6. Tariku Kinfu (Ethiopia) - 2:09:06
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12. Kazuki Takeshita (SDF) - 2:14:14
13. Saeki Makino (DNPL) - 2:14:36
© 2019 Brett Larner, all rights reserved
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