japan running news

Utica, NY, 7/12/15 click here for complete results Men 1. Eliud Ngetich (Kenya) - 43:31 2. Lani Rutto (Kenya) - 43:59 3. Belete Assefa (Ethiopia) - 44:01 4. Teshome Mekonen (Ethiopia) - 44:07 5. Isaac Mukundi Mwangi (Kenya) - 44:24 ----- 12. Masakazu Fujiwara (Japan/Honda) - 45:15 17. Ryosuke Fukuyama (Japan/Honda) - 46:24 Women 1. Mary Wacera Ngugi (Kenya) - 48:49 2. Cynthia Jerotich Limo (Kenya) - 48:51 3. Ruita Aga (Ethiopia) - 50:10 4. Simegn Abnet (Ethiopia) - 50:35 5. Etalemahu Habtewold (Ethiopia) - 50:56

by Brett Larner photo by Kenji Ogura Japan's #3 independent runner Sho Matsumoto  (Nikkei Business Service) made his international debut  June 22 at the 37th running of Grandma's Marathon .  Appearing through an invite from outgoing race director Scott Keenan  and support from JRN after running a 2:13:38 best at February's Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon, Matsumoto ran comfortably in the lead pack on mid-2:12 pace until eventual winner Bazu Worku (Ethiopia) made his race-breaking move near 30 km.  Worku went on to record the fifth-fastest winning time in Grandma's history, 2:11:14, with Kenyans Ernest Kebenei and Eliud Ngetich joining him under 2:12.  A total of 22 men ran sub-2:20 thanks in part to strong tailwinds throughout much of the point-to-point race. Unable to follow Worku's play, Matsumoto lost ground and struggled over the final 5 km, ultimately finishing 17th in 2:17:53.  "I should have been able to make the podium," he told JRN pos...