tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post6222083851146825514..comments2024-03-12T06:26:20.751+09:00Comments on japan running news: Rikuren Long Distance Director Sawaki Derides Irifune and Fukuoka Men's PerformancesBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-32567030156504535092008-12-13T16:15:00.000+09:002008-12-13T16:15:00.000+09:00Fujiwara commented mildly, "I'm glad I was able to...Fujiwara commented mildly, "I'm glad I was able to break 2:10 again."<BR/><BR/>And this is the problem. Sato's (good) Fukuoka performance last year was a rare exception in recent years, as noted by Anonymous. <BR/><BR/>Japanese men seem to regularly clock in at just below 2:10, and Fujiwara's comment above indicates that perhaps they are content to run times that keep the corporate team money Robertohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15658466320690980920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-60179505909427867412008-12-10T12:05:00.000+09:002008-12-10T12:05:00.000+09:0064 Minutes for a half marathon is inconsequential ...64 Minutes for a half marathon is inconsequential in the world these days. It might make you famous at your local gym or in your home county or state, but few outside the local area will care. <BR/><BR/>There hasn't been a Japanese guy running 2:06 for 6 years now. Atsushi Sato came closest with his 2:07:12 at Fukuoka last year. The fact that no Japanese finished in the top 10 at any of the Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-66108949175465026172008-12-10T02:41:00.000+09:002008-12-10T02:41:00.000+09:00matt wardbut in the ageo half marathon nearly 25 j...matt ward<BR/><BR/>but in the ageo half marathon nearly 25 japanese runners ran under 64 minutes, right?! this surely shows a depth in class and the law of averages would dictate that one or two of those runners will make the step up to world class marathon running...<BR/><BR/>i wish there were more than 5 UK athletes that could run under 64 minutes!!!world running newshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288351566446020939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-12238888042296527772008-12-09T18:10:00.000+09:002008-12-09T18:10:00.000+09:00On the one hand, Sawaki is correct. 3 minutes in a...On the one hand, Sawaki is correct. 3 minutes in a huge gap. On the other hand, Japan has already been the most successful "marathon country" outside of Kenya and Ethiopia, having had 3 guys run 2:06 or better.<BR/><BR/>There will be more Japanese running 2:06 or better, but they have to stop focusing on the domestic programme of races like the Hakone Ekiden and other races where are meaninglessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com