japan running news

http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/347573 translated by Brett Larner Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Nobeoka in Miyazaki prefecture, the 51st Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon pre-race banquet took place Feb. 9 at an area hotel.  Including athletes and organizers, 300 people attended the banquet to share their hopes for a successful race. After the introduction of the 23 invited athletes, TV Miyazaki's Michinori Watanabe  spoke on behalf of the organizing committe, telling the athletes, "I'm sure that you are all aware of Nobeoka's long history as a race where many of our best athletes get their start.  I hope that each of you running tomorrow will be doing it with the intent of making your own name."  Mayor Masaharu Sudo commented, "This year's race commemorates Nobeoka's 80th year as a city, but most of you are probably more interested in this being the marathon's 51st running.  Nobeoka is Japan's A...

http://mainichi.jp/area/miyazaki/news/20110908ddlk45050568000c.html translated and edited by Brett Larner On Sept. 7 Hiroyuki Horibata  (24, Team Asahi Kasei), the top Japanese finisher in the 2011 Daegu World Championships men's marathon at 7th in in 2:11:52, made an appearance at his hometown Nobeoka City Hall in Miyazaki prefecture to talk about his race and his plans for making the 2012 London Olympic team. Horibata smiled at the warmly welcoming applause from the staff and guests at city hall.  Nobeoka mayor Masaharu Sudo  told him, "You met the hopes of all the citizens of Noboeka.  It was an outstanding performance."  Horibata told the crowd, "I ran with my own rhythm, with a margin of strength that came from inside.  I did better than my goal of 8th place.  My training went completely according to plan, and that's why I was able to achieve this result.  In my next race I want to seal up my place on the Olympic team."  Horib...