tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45068878021745538452012-01-28T16:52:48.967+09:00japan running news<b>English-language news and information about the elite Japanese distance running scene, since 2007</b>Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.comBlogger20041100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-10713854710959782282012-01-28T08:27:00.003+09:002012-01-28T13:11:53.268+09:00Fukushi Shooting for the Marathon in Londonhttp://www.daily.co.jp/general/2012/01/28/0004773977.shtml
translated by Brett Larner
The pre-race athletes' press conference for the Jan. 29 Osaka International Women's Marathon Olympic selection race took place Jan. 27. Aiming for her long-hoped-for appearance on the Olympic marathon stage, half-marathon national record holder Kayoko Fukushi (29, Team Wacoal) appeared confident of her Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-86095171906506294332012-01-27T17:01:00.005+09:002012-01-27T17:41:34.455+09:00Watch the 2012 Osaka International Women's Marathon Live Online - Previewby Brett Larner
The 2012 Osaka International Women's Marathon, the second of Japan's three-race domestic Olympic marathon team selection races, is on for this Sunday, Jan. 29. Broadcast live on Fuji TV starting at noon Japan time, overseas viewers have the chance to catch the race via Keyhole TV. Schedule permitting, JRN plans to cover the race via Twitter @JRNLive.
The 2012 Osaka Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-83717366420280922692012-01-27T09:29:00.000+09:002012-01-27T09:29:54.398+09:00Akaba to Settle Selection Race Plans After Seeing Osaka Outcomehttp://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2012/01/26/0004770377.shtml
translated by Brett Larner
After the announcement of her name as an invited elite at the Feb. 26 Tokyo Marathon, a race outside the set of selection races for the women's Olympic marathon team, Yukiko Akaba (Team Hokuren) issued a statement of clarification on Jan. 26 through her representative. "As part of my goal of making the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-34129144073844264612012-01-26T17:13:00.013+09:002012-01-26T20:53:07.947+09:00Tokyo Marathon Announces 2012 Elite Men's and Women's Fieldsby Brett Larner
The organizers of the 2012 Tokyo Marathon have announced the elite men's and women's fields for the Feb. 26 Olympic-year race, and on both sides the fields are the best since the Tokyo Marathon began in 2007. Former world record holder Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) lines up alongside last year's winner Hailu Mekonnen (Ethiopia), 2010 winner Masakazu Fujiwara (Team Honda), 2008 Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-23813114505118268072012-01-25T16:48:00.004+09:002012-01-25T17:14:31.876+09:00Noguchi Out of Osaka With Injury to Left Thigh (updated)http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/120125/oth12012515000009-n1.htm
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/f-sp-tp0-20120125-894574.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner
The organizers of the 31st Osaka International Women's Marathon and the Sysmex Women's Distance Running Team announced on Jan. 25 that invited athlete Mizuki Noguchi, 33, has pulled out of this Sunday's Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-44099676891154835712012-01-25T16:33:00.000+09:002012-01-25T16:33:43.860+09:00Shimahara's Verdict After Osaka Course Tour: "Looks Fast"http://sankei.jp.msn.com/west/west_sports/news/120124/wsp12012418010006-n1.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
On Jan. 24 ahead of her final race at the 31st Osaka International Women's Marathon this Sunday, Jan. 29, Kiyoko Shimahara (Second Wind AC) toured the new course that was introduced last year, helping with her mental preparations for the main event. At the same time, Beijing Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-26310253220894184962012-01-25T13:57:00.000+09:002012-01-25T13:57:15.740+09:00Noguchi Ahead of First Marathon in 4 Years, 2 Months: "It's Good to Be Back"http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/120122/oth12012219000029-n1.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
In the backdrop to west of Boulder, Colorado are the Rocky Mountains. Looking at the line of snow tens of thousands of years old painted red by the post-workout evening light, the surge of unexpected feeling is almost enough to bring tears to the eye. "I can train hard again now," says Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-88138560337175993582012-01-24T23:30:00.018+09:002012-01-25T14:06:24.065+09:00Russian Tatyana Aryasova Stripped of 2011 Tokyo Marathon Title After Testing Positive for Masking Agenthttp://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/news/20120124-OYT1T00932.htm?from=main6
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/120124/spg1201241730001-n1.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
The Tokyo Marathon Foundation announced on Feb. 24 that a doping test performed at the Feb. 27, 2011 Tokyo Marathon on women's winner Tatyana Aryasova of Russia returned positive for HES (hydroxyethyl starch), a banned Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-12413995133879245822012-01-24T07:46:00.001+09:002012-01-24T07:46:41.222+09:00Olympic Champion Dita Voices Support for Noguchi Ahead of Sunday's Osaka Int'l Women's Marathonhttp://www.sanspo.com/smp/sports/news/120124/spg1201240502000-s.htm
translated by Brett Larner
The athletes' village for the Jan. 29 London Olympics selection year Osaka International Women's Marathon opened Jan. 23 at an Osaka-area hotel. The first invited athlete to arrive was 2008 Beijing Olympics marathon gold medalist Constantina Dita (Romania). Speaking on her 42nd birthday, Dita Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-23861911144838307592012-01-23T16:06:00.001+09:002012-01-23T16:07:33.419+09:00'Tanui and Wude Yimer Take the Spoils at Elgoibar Cross Country'http://iaaf.org/news/newsid=63397.html
Kyushu-based Paul Tanui (Team Kyudenko) won the 69th Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza meet on Jan. 22. Another roundup of the weekend's XC action:
http://www.albertostretti.org/2012/01/crosscountry-recapof-sunday.htmlBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-46475289617469894592012-01-23T12:11:00.001+09:002012-01-24T11:51:03.449+09:00Kitamura, Tsukisawa Win 15,000-Strong Chiba Marine Half-Marathonhttp://photo.sankei.jp.msn.com/kodawari/data/2012/01/0122chiba/
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/120123/spg1201230505006-n1.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
The 36th Chiba Marine Half-Marathon took place Jan. 22 in Mihama, Chiba. From the family fun run to the half-marathon division, a total of over 15,000 people took part, enjoying themselves despite the cold rain that fell duringBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-11680781726497027792012-01-22T15:20:00.015+09:002012-01-23T15:57:36.819+09:00Takezawa Anchors Hyogo to National Men's Ekiden Championship Titleby Brett Larner
Kensuke Takezawa runs down the win for Hyogo Prefecture at the 2012 National Men's Ekiden Championships. Click photo for video highlights via race broadcaster NHK.
Pre-race favorite and 2010 champion Hyogo Prefecture lived up to expectations, taking the 2012 National Interprefectural Men's Ekiden Championships title on the strength of stage wins by opening man Keisuke Nakatani Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-17946604170075505232012-01-22T12:34:00.003+09:002012-01-23T07:11:09.236+09:00Ritsumeikan Uji H.S. and Tenmaya Win Kitakyushu Women's Invitational Ekidenby Brett Larner
The 2012 Kitakyushu Invitational Women's Ekiden came close to an upset as Ritsumeikan Uji H.S. came close to running down the leading pro teams, as close as 18 seconds to taking the lead spot. Ritsumeikan Uji started off in 7th overall and 3rd among high school teams, but a strong Second Stage run by Nanami Aoki moved them up to 3rd overall and the lead high school position. Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-61517466629131706752012-01-20T16:39:00.008+09:002012-01-20T17:23:39.001+09:00Watch the National Men's Ekiden Live Onine - Previewby Brett Larner
The last major national ekiden of the season takes place this Sunday in Hiroshima with the 17th running of the seven-stage, 48.0 km National Men's Interprefectural Ekiden Championships. Like last weekend's women's race the National Men's Ekiden features 47 teams from each of Japan's prefectures made up of runners all the way from junior high school students to pros, and like theBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-74086767431462394022012-01-19T12:43:00.004+09:002012-01-20T07:02:16.208+09:00Seino to Step Down as Head Coach at Sendai Ikuei H.S. Following 12th-Place Finishhttp://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2012/01/20120119t14025.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
On Jan. 18 Junichi Seino, 27, head coach of Sendai Ikuei High School's ekiden team, announced that he intends to resign from both his position as coach and as a member of the school's teaching staff following the completion of the academic year at the end of March.
At the Dec. 25 National High Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-58849552440016145382012-01-17T18:06:00.004+09:002012-01-18T07:42:32.568+09:00Batochir, Hunt, Njenga, Njoroge, Ramadhani Headline 61st Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathonhttp://sp.mainichi.jp/m/news.html?cid=20120118k0000m050038000c
translated by Brett Larner
On Jan. 17 the organizers of the Feb. 5 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon announced the elite field for this year's 61st running. The six Japan-based invited athletes include last year's runner-up Daniel Njenga (Kenya/Team Yakult) and 6th-place finisher Yuki Moriwaki (Team JFE Steel), last summer's Asian Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-27325259831920069942012-01-16T20:37:00.011+09:002012-01-18T08:35:57.125+09:00Chepchirchir, Ito, Kawauchi, Kisorio and Sato Headline Elite Field of 53 at Marugame International Half Marathonhttp://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2012011600713
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/120116/oth12011619010032-n1.htm
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2012/01/16/kiji/K20120116002445470.html
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/region/news/120117/kgw12011702170000-n1.htm
http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/sports/local/20120117000111
translated and edited by Brett Larner
On Jan. 16 the organizers of the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-65666115814516499602012-01-15T15:08:00.010+09:002012-01-15T18:05:51.170+09:00Osaka Wins First National Women's Ekiden Championships Title in 19 YearsYuka Tokuda gives Osaka the National Women's Ekiden win in 2:16:37. Click photo for video highlights courtesy of broadcaster NHK.
by Brett Larner
The Osaka women's team emerged from nowhere to take a surprise win at the 30th anniversary National Interprefectural Women's Ekiden Championships Jan. 15 in Kyoto, leading wire to wire to score its first national title in 19 years. First Stage Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-7351139134011150212012-01-15T11:22:00.000+09:002012-01-15T11:22:58.772+09:00Kinukawa May DNS at Olympic Marathon Selection Race After Training Setbackhttp://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2012/01/15/kiji/K20120115002431060.html
translated by Brett Larner
Targeting the London Olympics marathon, 5000 m national champion Megumi Kinukawa (22, Mizuno) may withdraw from the Mar. 11 Nagoya Women's Marathon Olympic selection race. The news came out following the Jan. 14 opening ceremonies for Sunday's National Interprefectural Women's Ekiden Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-1562525485964725792012-01-12T22:55:00.001+09:002012-01-13T07:16:47.949+09:00Watch the 2012 National Women's Ekiden Live Online - Previewby Brett Larner
The last national championship women's ekiden of the season takes place this Sunday, Jan. 15 in Kyoto. The National Interprefectural Women's Ekiden Championships have one of the most interesting formats on the circuit, with teams of nine women ranging from junior high schoolers to pros running for teams representing Japan's 47 prefectures. The open stages are one of the few Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-34127733908629702682012-01-10T08:05:00.006+09:002012-01-10T10:44:28.847+09:00Higashino, Makishima, Watanabe, Ichida Twins Win on Roads in Kyushuhttp://www.oita-press.co.jp/localNews/2012_132608542166.html
http://www.373news.com/modules/pickup/index.php?storyid=37548
http://www.nagasaki-np.co.jp/kiji/20120110/05.shtml
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Japan's southernmost main island Kyushu was the site of most of the long weekend's road action.
The 49th South Japan Long Distance Meet took place Jan. 8 in Kagoshima on a road Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-30999970592781715452012-01-09T09:41:00.004+09:002012-01-12T12:34:06.968+09:00Kawauchi 2nd in First Race of the Year (updated)http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/event/sports/news/20120109-OHT1T00005.htm
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/120108/spg1201081654000-n1.htm
http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2012/01/08/0004729613.shtml
translated and edited by Brett Larner
In his first race of the year, Olympic marathon hopeful Yuki Kawauchi (24, Saitama Pref.) finished 2nd in 1:06:19 at the 13th Mari Tanigawa Half Marathon behind Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-7436446398092617622012-01-08T10:54:00.003+09:002012-01-08T10:59:44.594+09:00Hakone Ekiden Ace Tamura Brothers Receive Flowers From Pre-Schoolershttp://www.toonippo.co.jp/news_too/nto2012/20120106135906.asp?fsn=eb33f76037153e93cde084f7e7644d6f
The Tamura brothers at Noheji Pre-School on Jan. 5. Click photo to enlarge.
translated by Brett Larner
Having run in the Jan. 2-3 Hakone Ekiden, the Tamura brothers Yusuke (4th yr., Josai University) and Hirotaka (2nd yr., Nihon University), both natives of Noheji, Aomori and graduates of AomoriBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-56631570983016267672012-01-07T18:55:00.003+09:002012-01-08T08:43:42.585+09:00"God of the Mountain Emeritus" Imai Declares for Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon (updated)http://www.sanspo.com/smp/sports/news/120107/spg1201071334001-s.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
A national star during his Juntendo University days for his uphill heroics on the Hakone Ekiden's Fifth Stage, Masato Imai (27, Toyota Kyushu) will run the Mar. 4 Biwako Mainichi Marathon, the final selection race for the London Olympics, according to an announcement on Jan. 7. In a Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-26035269001209908922012-01-06T19:08:00.003+09:002012-01-07T16:27:04.672+09:002012 Hakone Ekiden and 2011 NCAA Division I XC Top Five Teams Compared Over 5000 mby Brett Larner
This week's 88th Hakone Ekiden, the Kanto region university men's ekiden championship, was a watershed event, with winner Toyo University taking over eight minutes off the record for the ten stage, 217.9 km event to become the first school to break an average 3:00/km pace for the entire race. How do Toyo and the other top-placing schools at this year's Hakone Ekiden compare to Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-58445455120270241492012-01-05T16:47:00.000+09:002012-01-06T04:49:34.315+09:00'Tanui’s Training Shifts from Japan to Kericho Home'http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/athletics/Tanuis+training+shifts+from+Japan+to+Kericho+home++/-/1100/1299466/-/xltgkiz/-/index.html
Thanks to Alberto Stretti for sending me this article on Kyudenko-sponsored World XC Championships silver medalist Paul Tanui.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-62428634414042336332012-01-04T13:43:00.033+09:002012-01-06T19:10:59.484+09:00Records and Stats From Hakone 2012by Brett Larner
all photos by Ekiden Mania
click here for 2012 Hakone Ekiden Day One report and results
click here for 2012 Hakone Ekiden Day Two report and results
click here for a comparison over 5000 m of the top five teams at the 2012 Hakone Ekiden and the 2011 NCAA Division I XC Championships
Average 5000 m, 10000 m and half-marathon PBs of the ten starters from each of the 1st through Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-9001487691022854292012-01-03T14:20:00.034+09:002012-01-04T22:37:17.598+09:00Toyo University Takes Eight Minutes Off Hakone Ekiden Course Record In Historic Winby Brett Larner
click here for Day One report and results
click here for a breakdown of records set at the 2012 Hakone Ekiden
Toyo University anchor Takashi Saito ten seconds from history at the 2012 Hakone Ekiden. All photos by Julie Setagaya. Click photo for more.
Toyo University brought in the New Year with inspiration, reaching up beyond themselves to take the Hakone Ekiden to another Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-81616053724524254612012-01-03T07:11:00.000+09:002012-01-03T07:11:59.275+09:00Hakone Ekiden Day Two Live Coverage Starting NowNihon TV's live broadcast of Day Two of the 88th Hakone Ekiden is underway. The race starts in 50 minutes. Watch online via Keyhole TV. Yesterday this site was also streaming the race. Follow @JRNLive for English commentary throughout the race.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-71928277305553112372012-01-02T13:59:00.027+09:002012-01-04T17:13:29.000+09:00Kashiwabara and Toyo University Crush Hakone Ekiden Day One Course Recordclick here for 2012 Hakone Ekiden Day Two report and results
click here for a breakdown of records set at the 2012 Hakone Ekiden
2012 Hakone Ekiden start. Photo by Ekiden Mania. Click for more photos.
by Brett Larner
2009 and 2010 Hakone Ekiden champion Toyo University came out swinging on Day One of the 88th running of Japan's oldest and greatest road relay, delivering a historic Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-26065733550818665602012-01-02T07:18:00.000+09:002012-01-02T07:18:55.955+09:00Hakone Ekiden Live Coverage Starting NowNihon TV's live coverage of the 2012 Hakone Ekiden is underway, with the race starting in 45 minutes. Follow @JRNLive for race updates via Twitter. Watch onine via Keyhole TV. Click here for JRN's race preview.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-67177013152384870352012-01-01T14:24:00.012+09:002012-01-02T07:12:31.767+09:00Nissin Shokuhin Wins Second New Year Ekiden Title in Three Years, World Champ Jeilan Out With Injuryby Brett Larner
The year kicked off with perfect, windless conditions at the seven stage, 100.0 km New Year Ekiden, the corporate men's national championships Jan. 1 in Maebashi, Gunma. Three stage records fell along the way as pre-race favorite Team Nissin Shokuhin won by over a minute in 4:49:32, returning to the top after a 3rd-place finish last year to take its second national title in Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-15101508004405568832011-12-31T13:05:00.018+09:002011-12-31T13:05:00.240+09:00What a Year for a New Year
The caption's a year out of date but the song remains the same. Thanks to all JRN readers, regular and otherwise, and especially to everyone who got in touch in March. Here's hoping that we all have a better year than this one.
Brett Larner
Mika Tokairin
Japan Running NewsBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-58415861301830141132011-12-30T22:57:00.010+09:002011-12-31T01:14:27.496+09:00Last Run for Kashiwabara - 2012 Hakone Ekiden Preview + Watch Onlineby Brett Larner
Every year I come on and talk about how great the Hakone Ekiden, Japan's oldest and most important road race relay, is. Apart from the Olympic medalists I didn't know much about Japanese distance running when I first came here, but Hakone was a big part of what turned me on to it. The scale of it, twenty university teams running 217.9 km split into ten stages over two days, theBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-47672426557768764282011-12-30T19:49:00.001+09:002011-12-30T19:51:27.147+09:00The Hakone Ekiden Fifth Stage in PicturesToday I did my annual Hakone Ekiden Fifth Stage run, 23.4 km with almost 900 m of climb in the middle section of the course followed by a steep downhill from 19.5 km to around 21.5 km. This year was more relaxed that usual as I ran with some friends and stopped to take pictures along the way.
The start of the Fifth Stage at 9 m elevation is in front of the tall building on the left. The sign Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-51146656509888374952011-12-29T14:18:00.001+09:002011-12-29T14:19:52.811+09:00Can Toyota Defend Its National Title? New Year Ekiden Preview - Watch Onlineby Brett Larner
Japan wastes no time getting the 2012 racing season off to a start, with the New Year Ekiden national corporate men's championships kicking off this Sunday, Jan. 1 at 8:30 a.m. With 100 km split into seven stages broadcast live to a nationwide TV audience the New Year Ekiden is one of Japan's biggest and most popular races, featuring the best Japanese pro runners and Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-83789335575049113032011-12-28T23:03:00.002+09:002012-01-14T19:51:17.754+09:00The Top 10 Japanese Men of 2011by Brett Larner
Video courtesy of Julie Setagaya. Ugachi's domestic record run begins at 1:23:25 with the bell lap at 1:50:10.
1. Tsuyoshi Ugachi (Team Konica Minolta) - 387 pts.
5000 m: 13:30.20 - 7th, Nobeoka, 5/28/11 - #5 Japanese, 2011
10000 m: 27:40.69 - 2nd, Hachioji, 11/26/11 - #1 Japanese, 2011; #4 Japanese all-time
half-marathon: 1:00:58 - 2nd, Marugame, 2/6/11 - #1 Japanese, 2011; Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-48201433673465560842011-12-28T16:55:00.004+09:002011-12-30T18:59:45.661+09:00The Top 10 Japanese Women of 2011by Brett Larner
Kinukawa wins the 5000 m national title.
1. Megumi Kinukawa (Mizuno) - 535.5 pts.
5000 m: 15:09.96 - 1st, National Championships, 6/12/11 - #1 Japanese, 2011; #6 Japanese all-time
10000 m: 31:10.02 - 1st, Abashiri, 6/22/11 - #2 Japanese, 2011; #4 Japanese all-time
half-marathon: 1:10:22 - 1st, Shanghai, 12/4/11 - #5 Japanese, 2011
Other major performances:
Hyogo Relay CarnivalBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-49381406304584256262011-12-28T09:36:00.005+09:002011-12-31T00:58:30.167+09:002011 Japanese Distance Running in Reviewby Brett Larner
This is part one of JRN's year in review. Check back for our profiles of the top ten Japanese men and women of the year and for our readers' picks and editors' picks for performances of the year. Click here for JRN's 2011 top ten rankings for men's and women's 5000 m, 10000 m, half-marathon and marathon. For our review of the top ten overall men of 2011, click here. For the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-24841255893913115952011-12-27T07:09:00.001+09:002011-12-27T07:09:47.377+09:00Watch the New Year Ekiden and Hakone Ekiden Live OnlineThe biggest three days of racing of the year are also most here, the Jan. 1 New Year Ekiden national men's corporate championships and the Jan. 2-3 Hakone Ekiden university men's race. Look for full previews for both events later this week along with JRN's year-end reviews.
Overseas viewers should be able to watch both the New Year Ekiden and Hakone Ekiden via Keyhole TV, the New Year Ekiden Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-40410143818103610112011-12-26T21:26:00.075+09:002011-12-28T07:18:10.553+09:00Japan in Wanjiru - In Conclusion.....by Brett Larner
I don't expect that many people will take the considerable time necessary to read the full texts of all four interviews in this series. I plan to edit the most important quotes from Samuel Wanjiru’s Japanese mentors and colleagues together into a cohesive account of his career from the Japanese point of view, but in the meantime, looking at the commonalities between the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-17338865456854242672011-12-25T14:45:00.007+09:002011-12-25T20:14:47.920+09:00Charles Ndirangu Leads Sera Back to National High School Boys Ekiden Championships Titleby Brett Larner
Sera H.S. wins the 2011 National High School Boys Ekiden Championships in 2:03:50. Click photo for video highlights via broadcaster NHK.
As in the girls' race, the 2009 National High School Boys Ekiden champion took back the top position Dec. 25 in Kyoto, with Hiroshima's Sera H.S. taking the win in an all-time top ten 2:03:50 for the hilly seven-stage, 42.195 km course. ManyBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-72879823512369619212011-12-25T12:28:00.009+09:002011-12-25T18:57:23.742+09:00Toyokawa Returns to Top in National High School Girls Ekiden Championshipsby Brett Larner
Toyokawa H.S. senior Beatrice Murugi Wainaina for the win at the 2011 National High School Girls Ekiden Championships. Click photo for video highlights via broadcaster NHK.
For the second time in three years, Kenyan Beatrice Murugi Wainaina led Toyokawa High School to the National High School Girls Ekiden Championships title as she crossed the line in 1:07:29, the fifth-fastestBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-63052610520033072302011-12-25T06:18:00.001+09:002011-12-25T18:30:41.188+09:00'Ekiden: A Closer Look at the Japanese Way'http://espn.go.com/blog/high-school/track-and-xc/post/_/id/731/ekiden-a-closer-look-at-the-japanese-way
A interesting and in-depth piece on the National High School Ekiden Championships by Soka University's Bruce Carrick.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-74177969178204382312011-12-24T22:25:00.051+09:002011-12-25T10:48:07.978+09:00Yoshikawa and Shimizu Pick Up Olympic A-Qualifiers at Nittaiby Brett Larner
Five-time 1500 m national champion Mika Yoshikawa (Team Panasonic) and ekiden ace Yuko Shimizu (Team Sekisui Kagaku) closed off their years in style at the Dec. 24 Nittai University Women's Long Distance Time Trials meet in Yokohama. Running in the 5000 m A-heat, Yoshikawa took 13 seconds off her PB to clear the London Olympics A-standard in 15:15.33. Just over half an hour Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-11829561698412547822011-12-24T11:00:00.000+09:002011-12-24T11:00:09.151+09:00Will Wanjiru's Record Fall? Watch the National High School Ekiden Championships LiveThe 2011 National High School Ekiden Championships take place Dec. 25 in Kyoto. Both the girls' and boys' races will be broadcast live and commercial-free on NHK. Overseas viewers should be able to watch live online via Keyhole TV using the password, which should be the same as the name of the broadcasting network. The girls' race will be broadcast from 10:05 to 11:54 a.m. Japan time, with Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-304364403422209692011-12-23T12:01:00.002+09:002011-12-23T17:27:14.670+09:00Akaba Sets Course Record at Sanyo Women's Half Marathon, Noguchi 5thby Brett Larner
Daegu World Championships marathon 5th-place finisher Yukiko Akaba (Team Hokuren) ran an aggressive race Dec. 23 at the 30th Sanyo Women's Road Race half marathon, winning in a 1:09:16 record for the hilly course over a tough field including marathon national record holder Mizuki Noguchi (Team Sysmex).
Akaba, Noguchi, 2010's top female Japanese half marathoner Yoko Miyauchi (Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-68970206861418913542011-12-23T10:29:00.020+09:002011-12-27T12:02:05.965+09:00Japan in Wanjiru - Yasuto KimuraThe fourth in JRN's series of in-depth, original interviews with the Japanese friends and colleagues of Samuel Wanjiru, this interview with Yasuto Kimura, a popular Tokyo-based coach of amateur runners and a former Hakone Ekiden ace with Chuo University who became close friends with Wanjiru following his departure from the Toyota Kyushu corporate team in 2008, is the most personal of them all. Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-1698028346012073602011-12-22T13:44:00.001+09:002011-12-22T13:54:19.607+09:00Japan in Wanjiru - Yu Mitsuya and Masato ImaiThis is the third in a series of JRN interviews with the Japanese friends, colleagues and mentors of the late Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru. Click here for an introduction to the series and links to the other interviews. Tomorrow's interview will be with Yasuto Kimura, Wanjiru's companion at all his overseas marathons.
Yu Mitsuya and Masato Imai were two of Wanjiru's teammates at the Toyota Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-81202927529774659682011-12-22T11:01:00.001+09:002011-12-22T11:03:05.519+09:00Flying Heroine Akaba Looking for Payback at 30th Sanyo Women's Road Racehttp://www.sanyo.oni.co.jp/feature/sports/other/2011/12/15/20111215113738.html
translated by Brett Larner
The Sanyo Women's Road Race in Okayama will celebrate its 30th running on Dec. 23. Consisting of the Yuko Arimori Cup Half-Marathon and the Kinue Hitomi 10 km, Sanyo is an important domestic event for women looking to put themselves into the ring for an Olympic or World Championships team.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-21644889730569090092011-12-21T21:09:00.018+09:002011-12-22T13:55:31.448+09:00Japan in Wanjiru - Koichi MorishitaThis is part two in JRN's four-part series of interviews with the key people in Samuel Wanjiru's life in Japan. Click here for the introduction to the series, an explanation of how it came about, and links to the other interviews. Check back tomorrow for part three, an interview with Wanjiru's former teammates Yu Mitsuya and Masato Imai.
Barcelona Olympics marathon silver medalist Koichi Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-26709756169307353602011-12-21T14:10:00.019+09:002011-12-21T15:15:11.777+09:00Fukushi and Noguchi Headline 2012 Osaka International Women's Marathonby Brett Larner
The organizers of the 2012 Osaka International Women's Marathon have come out with the elite field for the Jan. 29 Olympic selection edition of the historic event. Although the field includes veteran defending Olympic gold medalist Constantina Dita (Romania), it's no secret that this race will be noteworthy for one reason: Noguchi vs. Fukushi.
Mizuki Noguchi (Team Sysmex), the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-932746168754044162011-12-20T21:12:00.010+09:002011-12-21T21:41:22.803+09:00Japan in Wanjiru - Stephen MayakaThe first of JRN's four-part series interviews in the weeks following Samuel Wanjiru's death with the people in Japan who knew him best and made him what he was. For an explanation of the origin of these interviews please click here. In this interview, Stephen Mayaka, the first Kenyan to run in Japan all the way from high school through university and on to a pro career and a mentor to Wanjiru Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-56365327715332918862011-12-19T23:28:00.021+09:002011-12-27T21:54:11.158+09:00Japan in Wanjiruphoto © 2007 Dr. Helmut Winter
all rights reserved
by Brett Larner
Last week I was asked to write a dedication to the late Samuel Wanjiru for a forthcoming book on Kenyan distance running achievements. Working on it, I felt that it's time to bring completion to another project related to Wanjiru.
In the weeks following Wanjiru's death, in response to my article "Wanjiru in the Words of Those Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-81196897068919644072011-12-19T13:12:00.005+09:002011-12-19T17:49:35.656+09:00Noguchi Joins Dec. 23 Sanyo Women's Half Marathon Field In Cautious Tune-Uphttp://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2011/12/19/kiji/K20111219002272200.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Having pulled out of the Dec. 18 National Corporate Women's Ekiden Championships, marathon national record holder Mizuki Noguchi cheered for her Sysmex teammates at the Third Stage handoff point and at the stadium finish. After nearly winning their regional qualifier, without Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-40765592850481118542011-12-18T18:38:00.001+09:002011-12-18T19:52:26.371+09:00Fukushi to Run Osaka International Women's Marathon vs. Noguchihttp://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/111218/oth11121817520012-n1.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Half-marathon national record holder Kayoko Fukushi (29, Team Wacoal) announced Dec. 18 that she will run the Jan. 29 Osaka International Women's Marathon in a bid to make the London Olympic team. Her coach Tadayuki Nagayama commented, "We're looking forward to the race, including the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-29899956446172279452011-12-18T16:21:00.005+09:002011-12-19T08:18:27.316+09:00Daiichi Seimei Leads Wire-to-Wire for National Corporate Women's Ekiden Titleby Brett Larner
Less than a month after her disappointing loss at the Yokohama International Women's Marathon, 2009 World Championships marathon silver medalist Yoshimi Ozaki bounced back to put Team Daiichi Seimei ahead on the First Stage of the National Corporate Women's Ekiden Championships. The team never relinquished its frontrunning position, riding the lead all the way to the end as Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-81418102058489416982011-12-18T15:27:00.012+09:002011-12-20T11:51:26.232+09:00Bat-Ochir and Kawauchi Duel at Hofu Yomiuri Marathon (updated)by Brett Larner
Click here for photos from the Hofu Yomiuri Marathon via M. Kawaguchi.
Mongolia's Serod Bat-Ochir successfully defended his title at the Dec. 18 Hofu Yomiuri Marathon, dropping Japanese amateur Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref.) in the final kilometers to win in 2:11:56, the fastest time in Hofu since Ethiopian Haile Negussie's 2:08:16 CR in 2002. The race ran at 2:13-flat pace Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-73465388081408408412011-12-16T17:05:00.004+09:002011-12-17T17:27:50.857+09:001500 m NR Holder Yuriko Kobayashi Leads Toyota Jidoshokki as Favorite for National Corporate Women's Ekiden Championships - Watch Online (updated)by Brett Larner
Update: Click here for start lists. Noguchi is not listed as a starter for Sysmex.
The biggest race of the year for professional Japanese women takes place this Sunday on a new course in Sendai, the six-stage, 42.195 km National Corporate Women's Ekiden Championships. The highlight of this year's edition looks like a possible showdown between Japan's two best hopes for the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-36285457064597260682011-12-16T14:37:00.003+09:002011-12-16T14:46:08.263+09:00IOC to Change Name Listing of 1936 Marathon Gold Medalist Sohnhttp://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/f-sp-tp0-20111216-877260.html
translated by Brett Larner
On Dec. 15 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that in its official website listing of Olympic medalists the entry for Japanese citizen and 1936 Berlin Olympics marathon gold medalist, the late Son Kitei, would be changed to Sohn Kee-Chung, the Korean pronunciation of his name. The Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-76750994633753577382011-12-16T09:43:00.057+09:002011-12-16T11:37:12.010+09:00Working Out the Tactics That Will Take Him to the Olympics, Kawauchi Set for Hofu Yomiuri Marathonhttp://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/news-spe/20090507-606401/news/20111215-OYS1T00147.htm
translated by Mika Tokairin and edited by Brett Larner
The fatigue is not yet out of his legs. Yuki Kawauchi has only just finished the Dec. 4 Fukuoka International Marathon, where he was the top Japanese finisher and 3rd overall. "I'm still sore," he says. "My thighs and whatnot are still stiff and inflexible.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-50469233885587675362011-12-16T07:33:00.000+09:002011-12-16T07:33:24.135+09:00'Campaccio 2012: World XC Champ Imane Merga At the Start'http://www.atleticaweek.it/dettaglio.asp?id_articolo=2396&id_categoria=Comunicati+Stampa
Kyushu-based World XC silver medalist Paul Tanui (Kenya/Team Kyudenko) is also scheduled to run the Campaccio meet.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-33172123680390088602011-12-15T17:16:00.002+09:002011-12-16T17:33:31.488+09:00Fukuoka University Junior Nakanishi in An All-Natural Debut at Hofu Yomiuri Marathonhttp://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/news-spe/20090507-606401/news/20111214-OYS1T00202.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Fukuoka University junior Takuro Nakanishi's hand pops open a can of coffee, then freezes in position as he closely reads the list of ingredients printed on the side of the can. "This looks.....OK," he says. Reassured, he drains the can dry in one gulp. Nakanishi believes Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-41088828371683928572011-12-15T13:45:00.001+09:002011-12-15T13:46:34.431+09:00Akaba, Chepyego, Ito, Niiya Headline 30th Sanyo Ladies Road Racehttp://svr.sanyo.oni.co.jp/feature/sports/road/2011/11/29/20111129104730.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Reaching its 30th anniversary this year, the Dec. 23 Sanyo Ladies Road Race half marathon and 10 km has announced its elite field. Led by Daegu World Championships marathon 5th-place finisher Yukiko Akaba (Team Hokuren) and local Kojokan H.S. graduate Hitomi Niiya (Sakura AC), Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-57164588627489948562011-12-15T12:01:00.001+09:002011-12-15T12:01:48.738+09:00Noguchi Back in Japan After First 40 km Run Post-Beijinghttp://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/etc/news/20111214-OHT1T00280.htm
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20111214/t10014642411000.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Click here for video of Noguchi training in Boulder and of her arrival at Kansai International Airport.
Athens Olympics women's marathon gold medalist and national record holder Mizuki Noguchi (33, Team Sysmex), arrived back in Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-21606554274229373422011-12-14T15:00:00.000+09:002011-12-14T15:00:16.114+09:00'Kaki to Undergo Dope Test in Japan"http://gulfnews.com/sport/athletics/kaki-to-undergo-dope-test-in-japan-1.950585Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-77776457057489509552011-12-14T12:14:00.021+09:002011-12-16T19:30:59.162+09:00'"Unser Mann" in Japan'Yet more self-promotion: JRN profiled on the German Road Races website:
http://www.germanroadraces.de/24-0-26743-unser-mann-in-japan-der-kanadier.html?npi=1
Google Chrome's machine translation of the article included the sad-but-true statement:
"...Japan Running News, which operates Larner since 2007...."
Pics in the article were taken by Dr. Helmut Winter at the Namban Rengo running club'sBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-87882033009402543612011-12-14T08:34:00.000+09:002011-12-14T08:34:06.222+09:00Shigeru Aburuya Going For the Win in Last Run at Hofu Yomiuri Marathonhttp://kyushu.yomiuri.co.jp/news/national/20111207-OYS1T00173.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
At February's Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon Olympian Shigeru Aburuya (Team Chugoku Denryoku) ran a disappointing 2:19, leading him to make the decision to hang up his shoes at the end of this season. In his 17th year as a professional runner, Aburuya has chosen Yamaguchi prefecture's Hofu Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-47447133103440197852011-12-13T13:02:00.005+09:002011-12-13T15:25:05.887+09:00A Quick Guide to National Championship Ekiden Seasonby Brett Larner
This Sunday kicks off the busiest part of the year on the Japanese racing calendar, the national championship ekiden season. At all levels from junior high school to the jitsugyodan corporate league, the national championship ekiden road relays are the main event for Japanese distance runners and the most dramatic racing of the year, with all but the National Junior High School Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-50034908588601182532011-12-12T13:19:00.001+09:002011-12-12T13:20:20.570+09:00Weekend Track Roundup - Fukushi and Yokote on Topby Brett Larner
On the only quiet weekend of the year in the lull before three-straight weekends of National Championship ekiden action, the only domestic races of note took place on the track. Women's 5000 m national record holder Kayoko Fukushi (Team Wacoal) returned to action in her first race since October's Chicago Marathon, winning the women's 5000 m at the Kumamoto Long Distance Time Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-29800985383793646392011-12-12T08:13:00.000+09:002011-12-12T08:13:37.335+09:00Honolulu Marathon Resultsclick here for complete results
Women
1. Woynishet Girma (Ethiopia) - 2:31:41
2. Misiker Mekonnindemissie (Ethiopia) - 2:31:54
3. Valentina Galimova (Russia) - 2:31:55
4. Emmah Muthoni (Kenya) - 2:32:38
5. Svetlana Zakharova (Russia) - 2:33:17
6. Eri Okubo (Second Wind AC) - 2:34:10
Men
1. Nicholas Chelimo (Kenya) - 2:14:55
2. Patrick Ivuti (Kenya) - 2:14:58
3. Josphat Boit (Kenya) - 2:15:40
4.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-43617981505984615672011-12-10T23:12:00.000+09:002011-12-11T02:17:35.453+09:00'Bett Proves Best in Zatopek 10'http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/OLY12/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=63132Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-19963183080060879032011-12-09T10:36:00.000+09:002011-12-09T10:36:02.591+09:00Noguchi in Boulder: "I'm Running Strong Again"http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2011120900213
translated by Brett Larner
Aiming to qualify for the Japanese women's marathon team for next year's London Olympics, Athens Olympics marathon gold medalist and national record holder Mizuki Noguchi (Team Sysmex) talked about her marathon training on Dec. 8 at her base in Boulder, Colorado. She appeared happy and optimistic as she said, "I'm Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-71444220680362083172011-12-08T11:10:00.003+09:002011-12-08T13:38:32.786+09:00Yesterday's Leaders Team Chugoku Denryoku Vow to Rebuild From Zerohttp://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/sports/Sp201112070118.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Once the leading force in Japanese men's ekidens and marathons, the name of the Chugoku Denryoku team has faded into history. Of the team's three pillars of strength, 38-year-old Tsuyoshi Ogata has declined dramatically in ability, while 34-year-old Shigeru Aburuya will retire after next week's Hofu Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-6710314815419889072011-12-08T09:48:00.001+09:002011-12-12T01:24:16.404+09:00World Championships 10th-Placer Nakazato to Run Kakogawa 10 kmhttp://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/touban/0004668166.shtml
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Organizers of the 23rd Kakogawa Marathon, scheduled for Dec. 23 in Hyogo prefecture, have announced that Daegu World Championshiops marathon 10th-place finisher Remi Nakazato (Team Daihatsu) will run this year's race. Nakazato finished 2nd in February's Yokohama International Women's Marathon to qualifyBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-55500334038985913422011-12-07T23:42:00.000+09:002011-12-08T01:02:51.275+09:00Tokai Univ. Ace Murasawa to Run Hakone Fifth Stage - Tokai Releases 16-Man Hakone Ekiden Entry Listhttp://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/f-sp-tp0-20111207-873836.html
translated by Brett Larner
On Dec. 7 Tokai University publicly released its 16-man roster for the Jan. 1-2 Hakone ekiden ahead of the Dec. 10 deadline for schools to submit entry lists. Head coach Hayashi Morozumi said, "The Second Stage and Fifth Stage are the most critical. I plan to put [juniors Tsubasa] Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-57409956570745394352011-12-05T15:58:00.021+09:002011-12-08T11:57:21.463+09:00Kawauchi Throws Olympic Selection Process Into Confusion (updated)http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/p-sp-tp0-20111205-872719.html
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/f-sp-tp0-20111204-872478.html
http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/news/20111205k0000e050130000c.html
Nikkei Newspaper, 12/5/11
translated and edited by Brett Larner
race-day photos by Dr. Helmut Winter
Out cold on the ground as the media pile on 11 seconds after Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-74212693053422005272011-12-05T15:16:00.002+09:002011-12-05T20:48:46.855+09:00Weekend Track Roundup - High-Schoolers Sub-14 and Sub-29by Brett Larner
Beyond all the road action in Fukuoka and Kosa, this weekend saw the last two big track time trial meets before the national championship ekidens. High schoolers made most of the noteworthy news at both meets. On the first day of the Nittai Time Trials in Yokohama, Ken Yokote (Sakushin Gakuin H.S.) ran 28:57.31 to place 3rd in the men's 10000 m B-heat behind pros Jun Shinoto (Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-88862460266218773602011-12-05T08:47:00.005+09:002011-12-05T22:50:18.337+09:00Mathathi Wins Sixth Kumamoto Kosa 10-Milerhttp://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20111204005.shtml
translated by Brett Larner
At the Rikuren-certified 36th annual Kumamoto Kosa 10 Mile Road Race on Dec. 4, 2009 World Championships 10000 m runner Yuki Iwai (Team Asahi Kasei) ran 47:08 to win for the second time, five years after his first win. In the international division, Martin Mathathi (Kenya/Suzuki Hamamatsu AC) won his Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-84997926837674937022011-12-04T16:43:00.020+09:002011-12-13T17:49:33.969+09:00Ndambiri With the Win, Kawauchi With the Wonder - Fukuoka International Marathonby Brett Larner
photos by Dr. Helmut Winter
Ndambiri for the win. Click photo for video highlights courtesy of KBC TV. Click here for a sequence of photos from throughout the race via KBC.
In many ways the 65th Fukuoka International Marathon played out according to script, but in the details it worked out to be the most memorable edition since Samuel Wanjiru's debut in 2007. Longtime Japan Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-22862043623220057192011-12-04T16:26:00.000+09:002011-12-04T17:27:14.136+09:00Kinukawa Wins Shanghai Half Marathon - Looks Toward Olympic Marathonhttp://www.nikkansports.com/sports/athletics/news/f-sp-tp0-20111204-872445.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner
5000 m national champion Megumi Kinukawa (22, Team Mizuno) won the Dec. 4 Shanghai International Half Marathon in a PB of 1:10:22. "I give that 100 out of 100," she said after the race. "I think it was good." With an early-morning start, uphill in the first half and sharp Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-38194148000007658342011-12-02T16:25:00.017+09:002011-12-09T15:02:41.028+09:00Watch the Fukuoka International Marathon Live - Viewing Guide (updated)by Brett Larner
Domestic favorite Yuki Kawauchi declaring his readiness to go for a PB, at the Fukuoka pre-race press conference, Dec. 2.
The 65th annual Fukuoka International Marathon is set for this Sunday, Dec. 4, an all-important Olympic selection race for Japanese men and the last chance of the year for the small international field to set an Olympic-standard time. The race will be Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-79511593768637468392011-12-02T10:08:00.003+09:002011-12-02T10:22:22.038+09:00'The Top 10 Running Blogs'More shameless self-promotion: Outside magazine has named JRN to its worldwide top ten running blogs of the year list. Many thanks.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-45952997576651786082011-12-02T08:02:00.002+09:002011-12-02T17:11:15.524+09:00Noguchi and Fukushi on Entry List for Sendai National Corporate Women's Ekiden Champshttp://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/111201/spg1112011953000-n1.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
On Dec. 18 the six-stage, 42.195 km National Jitsugyodan Women's Ekiden Championships will be held for the first time in Sendai, Miyagi. On Dec. 1 organizers released the entry list lineups for the 33 teams in the field. Included in the list are Japan's top two prospects for the 2012 LondonBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-40709021458171602002011-12-01T17:55:00.003+09:002011-12-02T10:21:16.425+09:00Confirming Olympic Marathon Target, Kinukawa to Run Sunday's Shanghai Half Marathonhttp://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2011120100706
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Having doubled in the 5000 m and 10000 m at the summer's Daegu World Championships, 5000 m national champion and 10000 m junior national record holder Megumi Kinukawa (22, Team Mizuno) confirmed Dec. 1 that the marathon is her target for the London Olympics. Kinukawa will run the Dec. 4 Shanghai Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-63491246276241239972011-11-29T18:48:00.016+09:002011-11-30T18:55:23.714+09:00'The Urbanist's Tokyo'Some shameless self-promotion: JRN in the current issue of New York magazine.Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-83797907642908843112011-11-28T23:37:00.037+09:002011-11-30T11:46:51.890+09:00Serod Batochir, Youngjun Ji, Yuki Kawauchi Headline Hofu Yomiuri Marathon Field (updated)by Brett Larner
On Nov. 28 the organziers of the 2011 Hofu Yomiuri Marathon, the last elite marathon of the year, announced the lineup of this year's invited athlete field. One of the most competitive editions in Hofu history, the field includes 2010 Asian Games marathon gold medalist Youngjun Ji (South Korea), Tokyo Marathon hero Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref.), defending champion Serod BatochirBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-89508810680712658762011-11-27T08:40:00.011+09:002011-11-27T18:27:44.516+09:00Ugachi Breaks Domestic 10000 m Record, Miyawaki 27:41 at Hachioji Distance Trialsby Brett Larner
Video courtesy of Julie Setagaya. The A-heat begins at 1:23:25 with the bell lap at 1:50:10.
The latest in a series of track time trials this fall to help Japanese men reach the Olympic 10000 m A-standard of 27:45.00 before the spring season, the Nov. 26 Hachioji Long Distance time trials meet in Tokyo's western suburbs saw a small piece of history as Tsuyoshi Ugachi (Team Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-44633180883005414772011-11-26T09:21:00.001+09:002011-11-26T09:21:44.980+09:00Fujita Withdraws From Fukuoka International Marathonhttp://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2011112500810
translated by Brett Larner
The organizers of the Dec. 4 Fukuoka International Marathon announced on Nov. 25 that former national record holder Atsushi Fujita (Team Fujitsu), with a PB of 2:06:51, has withdrawn from its invited athlete field due to pain in his right Achilles tendon. This year's Fukuoka is the first domestic selection race for Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-40342151822219648612011-11-25T16:07:00.001+09:002011-11-26T00:24:22.303+09:00Asahi Kasei Sets Course Record at Last New Year Ekiden Qualifierby Brett Larner
Team Asahi Kasei dominated the final regional qualifier for the New Year Ekiden men's national corporate ekiden championships, leading wire-to-wire to set a course record of 3:50:53 at the seven-stage, 78.8 km Nov. 23 Kyushu Corporate Ekiden Championships. Asahi Kasei runners won the first four stages, with Daegu World Championships marathon 7th-place finisher Hiroyuki Horibata Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-91483347910845457462011-11-24T12:05:00.006+09:002011-11-25T15:02:30.736+09:00World Champs 7th Placer Horibata, Nihon Univ. Star Sophomore Tamura Declare for Lake Biwa Olympic Marathon Qualifierhttp://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/track/news/20111124k0000m050053000c.html
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/event/sports/news/20111123-OHT1T00269.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Following a stage win to lead Team Asahi Kasei to a course record win at the Nov. 23 Kyushu Corporate Ekiden Championships, Daegu World Championships marathoner Hiroyuki Horibata (Team Asahi Kasei) announced Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-87717176889990255452011-11-24T07:33:00.003+09:002011-11-24T16:55:08.708+09:00Rikuren Plans Men's Training Camp in Kenya (updated)http://www.nikkei.com/sports/news/article/g=96958A9C81818A9996E2E0EBE18DE0E1E3E3E0E2E3E3E2E2E2E2E2E2;da=96958A88889DE2E0E3EAEAE5E6E2E0E3E3E0E0E2E2EBE2E2E2E2E2E2
translated by Brett Larner
Federation officials announced on Nov. 23 that they will be organizing a three-week altitude training camp in Kenya from January to February next year. The camp is targeted toward five or six of the country'sBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-72211768842515794992011-11-23T15:55:00.015+09:002011-11-24T06:59:49.518+09:00Kenya Over Japan As Both Break International Chiba Ekiden Course Recordby Brett Larner
In its fifth year with a mixed men and women team format, the 2011 International Chiba Ekiden was one of the better editions in recent memory. All three Kenyan men won their stages, with Patrick Mutunga Mwikya and Edwin Nyandusi Mokua setting stage records, while all three Japanese women won theirs including a stage record from anchor Hitomi Niiya, making for a tense race with Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-45378526449579644532011-11-22T15:53:00.001+09:002011-11-22T19:36:33.457+09:00Watch the International Chiba Ekiden Live Online (updated)The 2011 International Chiba Ekiden, featuring twelve teams from ten countries, takes place tomorrow, Nov. 23, and will be broadcast live on Fuji TV from 1:00 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. Japan time. Overseas viewers should be able to watch online for free via Keyhole TV, available here. JRN plans to be on-site and to offer live English commentary via Twitter @JRNLive. Follow to keep track of all the Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-14163532580793374312011-11-21T14:31:00.003+09:002011-12-29T12:52:24.045+09:00Weekend Track and Ekiden Roundup - Karoki, Waithira, Kinukawa, Yamamoto Take Winsby Brett Larner
Along with marathons and other road races, this busy weekend included two significant ekidens and three large track time trial meets.
At the Nov. 19 Biwako University Ekiden, Western Japan's answer to January's Hakone Ekiden, defending champion Kyoto Sangyo University braved heavy rain and wind to take its second-straight Biwako title. After a slow 8th-place start Kyoto Sangyo Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-17960635134219101302011-11-20T22:04:00.018+09:002011-11-21T16:57:36.612+09:00Kizaki, Ondiba, Son of Nakayama Win Big on the Roads, Noguchi Comes Up Shortby Brett Larner
Near typhoon conditions throughout Japan on Friday and Saturday brought a nationwide heat wave and strong winds on Sunday, less than ideal for a handful of major races across the country.
The biggest of them, the Olympic selection-edition Yokohama International Women's Marathon, turned into a race of attrition decided by a final kick to the new waterfront finish, Yokohama's Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-68293165128441601212011-11-19T08:12:00.006+09:002011-11-19T21:21:57.021+09:00Noguchi Running Dutch 15 km to "Visualize the Marathon"http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news/111118/oth11111821450012-n1.htm
translated by Brett Larner
Mizuki Noguchi at the Zevenheuvelenloop 2011 press conference, courtesy of Losse Veter.
At a Nov. 18 press conference in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ahead of Sunday's 7 Hills Loop 15 km road race, Athens Olympics women's marathon gold medalist and marathon national record holder Mizuki Noguchi (Team Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-29899224027476336492011-11-18T17:29:00.004+09:002011-11-19T21:03:29.164+09:00Yokohama Starts Olympic Selection Cycle, Ageo, Noguchi and More Up This Weekendby Brett Larner
Just a week after the busiest ekiden weekend of the year comes another big weekend of racing in Japan. The Yokohama International Women's Marathon is the most important of them, the first of the three domestic selection races for the Japanese women's Olympic marathon team. Despite a bad race at August's Daegu World Championships, defending champ, course record holder and 2009 Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-57008251624346656302011-11-16T12:40:00.005+09:002011-11-17T10:05:45.440+09:00Neko Runs PB for 5th at SE Asian Games; Olympic Status Unclearhttp://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20111116-864133.html
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20111112-862322.html
translated and edited by Brett Larner
Newly minted Cambodian citizen, professional comedian and former Japanese national Hiroshi Neko ran the Nov. 16 Southeast Asian Games marathon in Indonesia in a bid to make Cambodia's Olympic team for nextBrett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506887802174553845.post-18766346239376584012011-11-15T10:37:00.021+09:002011-11-30T10:33:19.713+09:00Kawauchi, Baranovskyy, Cragg, Fujita, Ndambiri Headline Olympic Selection-Year Fukuoka International Marathonby Brett Larner
Race broadcaster KBC has published the sixteen-man elite field for the 65th anniversary of the Fukuoka International Marathon, scheduled for Dec. 4. The first of the three domestic selection races for the Japanese men's marathon team for the London Olympics, Fukuoka's organizers have gone an unusual route in setting up the overseas field with not a single invited Kenyan or Brett Larnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13416317533206849280noreply@blogger.com5