japan running news

Yoshiki Takenouchiage: 27
sponsor: NTT Nishi Nihon
graduated from: Kansaidai Daiichi H.S., Nihon University

best time inside MGC window:
2:10:01, 7rd, 2017 Fukuoka International Marathon

PB: 2:10:01, 7rd, 2017 Fukuoka International Marathon

other PBs:
5000 m: 13:56.46 (2015) 10000 m: 28:36.44 (2018) half marathon: 1:03:08 (2019)

marathons inside MGC window (Aug. 1 2017 – April 30 2019)
DNS – 2018 Fukuoka International Marathon
30th, 2018 Lake Biwa Marathon, 2:20:29
7th, 2017 Fukuoka International Marathon, 2:10:01

other major results:
8th, 2019 Sendai International Half Marathon, 1:03:08 – PB
33rd, 2019 National Corporate Half Marathon, 1:03:13 (PB)
DNS – 2019 National Men’s Ekiden Seventh Stage (13.0 km)
2nd, 2018 Kansai Corporate Ekiden Fifth Stage (16.0 km), 48:54
1st, 2018 Hokuren Distance Challenge Fukagawa Meet 10000 m B-race, 28:36.44 – PB
11th, 2017 Lake Biwa Marathon, 2:13:33
9th, 2015 Hakone Ekiden Third Stage (21.5 km), 1:03:59

The only Nihon University graduate in the race, Tak…

photo by @tsutsugo55225

For the second time in the last three weeks, a Japan-based Kenyan ran the fastest time in the world this year for 10000 m at Yokohama's Nittai University Time Trials series. On October 20th it was 2015 World U18 Championships 3000 m gold medalist Richard Kimunyan (Hitachi Butsuryu), 20, with a 27:14.70  that surpassed Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei's world-leading mark by almost five seconds. This time it was 2018 World U20 Championships 5000 m silver medalist Stanley Waithaka (Yakult), 18, taking almost two minutes off his PB to break Kimunyan's mark with a 27:13.01 win.

Both winners received support from 2014 Commonwealth Games steeplechase gold medalist Jonathan Ndiku (Hitachi Butsuryu), who ran season bests for 2nd place each time, 27:50.38 three weeks ago and 27:28.27 on Saturday. 2013 World U18 Championships 3000 m bronze medalist Alexander Mutiso (ND Software) was also under 28 minutes, running just off his PB at 27:42.16 for 3rd. Kazuma Taira (Kan…

The Kansai Corporate Athletics Federation has announced that following a successful trial last year, it plans to live stream this year's 61st Kansai Corporate Ekiden Championships on November 11th. In order to deliver a high-quality streamed production the Federation began an online crowdfunding campaign on August 30. Organizers hope to raise 500,000 yen [~$4500 USD] by September 28th.

The Kansai Corporate Ekiden Championships is the regional qualifier for the New Year Ekiden corporate men's national championships, each year bringing in top athletes to run its seven-stage, 80.45 km course. Many residents of the town of Ryujinmura serve as race staff to assist organizers in executing the event.

Thanks to the support and assistance of NTT, last year's 60th anniversary running was streamed live on the net for the first time. The camera followed the lead pack, with the feed also displayed on a large screen set up at the Ryujinmura Sports Center. In addition to the race the pr…

After finishing among the top three Japanese men at last month's Fukuoka International Marathon to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Trials race, NTT Nishi Nihon corporate men's team member Yoshiki Takenouchi, 25, appeared at an event at Kyotanabe city hall in Kyoto where the NTT team is based. "I want to do everything I can to make that Olympic dream come even just one step closer," he said with determination.

Takenouchi is originally from Osaka. After graduating from Kandai Daiichi H.S. he attended Nihon University before joining NTT Nishi Nihon in 2015. In Fukuoka he ran a dramatic 2:10:01 PB to finish 7th overall as the 3rd Japanese man, earning a place at the Marathon Grand Championship race to be held in or after September, 2019.

Takenouchi lives in a company dormitory in the Kyotanabe and often runs along Yamate Kansen Strett during morning practice. "There's a lot of greenery and the air is clear, so it feels good to run there, "he said with a smile…

http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/sports/0000826157.shtml

translated by Brett Larner

Japanese national full marathon record holder Toshinari Takaoka (Team Kanebo) will be running in the 10 mile (16.093 km) Himejijo Road Race on Feb. 11 in Himeji, sponsored in part by the Kobe Newspaper Group. Takaoka joined the Himejijo lineup on Feb. 4 following the cancellation of the Ome Marathon 30 km due to heavy snowfall. Takaoka had planned to run Ome as part of his preparation for a spring marathon.

Originally from Kitsugawa in Kyoto Prefecture, Takaoka ran track events in the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, finishing 7th in the men's 10000 m in Sydney. At the 2002 Chicago Marathon he set the Japanese national record of 2:06:16. He also holds the national record for 3000 m and 10000 m. Takaoka attempted to qualify for the Beijing Olympics at last December's Fukuoka International Marathon but finished 10th. Many have wondered where he would go next.

Also scheduled to run Himejijo are Satoshi Osaki…