by Brett Larner
Running his third European marathon of the year with support from JRN, Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) follows up his April win at the Zurich Marathon and his 2:11:03 at September's Berlin Marathon with his Portuguese debut at Sunday's Porto Marathon. With a slightly easier course this year Kawauchi joins top-ranked Kenyans Samuel Theuri Mwaniki, Pius Kirop and Gilbert Kipkemboi Maina in gunning for the 2:09:51 Porto Marathon record set in 2011 by Philemon Bairu (Kenya).
Three weeks ago at the Takashimadaira Road Race Kawauchi ran 59:43 for 20 km, equivalent to 1:02:59 for the half marathon. "That was great training," he told JRN. "I didn't do that kind of speed work before Berlin, so I definitely think I can run faster here than I did there." At the pre-race press conference Kawauchi was even clearer: when asked what kind of race he hoped to run he replied, "One where I break the course record." Two European wins…
Running his third European marathon of the year with support from JRN, Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) follows up his April win at the Zurich Marathon and his 2:11:03 at September's Berlin Marathon with his Portuguese debut at Sunday's Porto Marathon. With a slightly easier course this year Kawauchi joins top-ranked Kenyans Samuel Theuri Mwaniki, Pius Kirop and Gilbert Kipkemboi Maina in gunning for the 2:09:51 Porto Marathon record set in 2011 by Philemon Bairu (Kenya).
Three weeks ago at the Takashimadaira Road Race Kawauchi ran 59:43 for 20 km, equivalent to 1:02:59 for the half marathon. "That was great training," he told JRN. "I didn't do that kind of speed work before Berlin, so I definitely think I can run faster here than I did there." At the pre-race press conference Kawauchi was even clearer: when asked what kind of race he hoped to run he replied, "One where I break the course record." Two European wins…