by Brett Larner
photo credits at bottom
click here for race highlights video courtesy of broadcaster KBC
Former world record holder Patrick Makau (Kenya) ran what he needed to score the win in his return to the marathon today in Fukuoka, sitting back in the pack throughout the race before dropping the competition in the last 4 km to win in 2:08:22. But the star of the show did not hail from Kenya, or Africa, or Japan.
At the pre-race press conference the top group of contenders were asked what percent confidence they had that they could win. Favorite Makau said 90%. 2012 Fukuoka winner Joseph Gitau (Kenya/Team JFE Steel) replied 82%. Last year's winner Martin Mathathi (Kenya/Suzuki Hamamatsu AC) said 50%, a suggestion of things to come. Japanese top two Kentaro Nakamoto (Team Yasukawa Denki) and Masakazu Fujiwara (Team Honda) gave only 50% and 20% estimates. Ser-Od Bat-Ochir (Mongolia/Team NTN), who beat Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) at last December's Hofu Yomiu…
photo credits at bottom
click here for race highlights video courtesy of broadcaster KBC
Former world record holder Patrick Makau (Kenya) ran what he needed to score the win in his return to the marathon today in Fukuoka, sitting back in the pack throughout the race before dropping the competition in the last 4 km to win in 2:08:22. But the star of the show did not hail from Kenya, or Africa, or Japan.
At the pre-race press conference the top group of contenders were asked what percent confidence they had that they could win. Favorite Makau said 90%. 2012 Fukuoka winner Joseph Gitau (Kenya/Team JFE Steel) replied 82%. Last year's winner Martin Mathathi (Kenya/Suzuki Hamamatsu AC) said 50%, a suggestion of things to come. Japanese top two Kentaro Nakamoto (Team Yasukawa Denki) and Masakazu Fujiwara (Team Honda) gave only 50% and 20% estimates. Ser-Od Bat-Ochir (Mongolia/Team NTN), who beat Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) at last December's Hofu Yomiu…