http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/etc/news/20081208-OHT1T00090.htm
translated and edited by Brett Larner
2005 Helsinki World Championships marathon team member Satoshi Irifune (32, Team Kanebo), ran a PB of 2:09:23 to finish 2nd overall and in the top Japanese position at the Dec. 7 Fukuoka International Marathon, becoming the first man to secure a position on the Japanese national team for the 2009 Berlin World Championships marathon. Despite this strong showing, Irifune finished 3 minutes and 13 seconds behind winner Tsegaye Kebede (21, Ethiopia) who set a course record of 2:06:10. Rikuren Long Distance and Road Racing Special Committee director Keisuke Sawaki (64) scorned the domestic results, calling them indicative of a crisis.
Is the difference between world class athletes and Japan's runners only going to get bigger? In Fukuoka the moment of crisis came at the 30 km point. As soon as the final pacemaker dropped, Kebede spurted out of the lead pack of four to leave Japanese run…
translated and edited by Brett Larner
2005 Helsinki World Championships marathon team member Satoshi Irifune (32, Team Kanebo), ran a PB of 2:09:23 to finish 2nd overall and in the top Japanese position at the Dec. 7 Fukuoka International Marathon, becoming the first man to secure a position on the Japanese national team for the 2009 Berlin World Championships marathon. Despite this strong showing, Irifune finished 3 minutes and 13 seconds behind winner Tsegaye Kebede (21, Ethiopia) who set a course record of 2:06:10. Rikuren Long Distance and Road Racing Special Committee director Keisuke Sawaki (64) scorned the domestic results, calling them indicative of a crisis.
Is the difference between world class athletes and Japan's runners only going to get bigger? In Fukuoka the moment of crisis came at the 30 km point. As soon as the final pacemaker dropped, Kebede spurted out of the lead pack of four to leave Japanese run…