japan running news

http://www.oita-press.co.jp/localSports/120731038943/2013_135821398382.html

translated by Brett Larner

Five athletes from Laos took part in the Jan. 14 Oita City Half Marathon for the first time, running alongside amateur and corporate-league runners alike as part of Oita's biggest-ever field.  Despite surprise at the bitter cold and the speed of the Japanese athletes, all five Laotian runners completed the race.

Of the four men in the group, three were running a half marathon for the first time in their lives.  "We were very surprised that here in Japan even the older people and women run so fast," they all agreed.  But even so, Saisawatt Tamwonchatt, 21, placed 3rd in the general men's division.  "This was my first time so I'm pretty beat, but I ran a good time," he said.  He is already looking toward his next goal: "In February I'm going to run a full marathon back home."

The man responsible for the Laotian athletes' invitation to the…

http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/342717

translated by Brett Larner

In a visit to Lieutenant Governor Tomomasa Futsukaichi at the Oita Prefectural Government offices on Jan. 10, five Laotian athletes promised to run their best in the Jan. 14 Oita City Half Marathon. The five runners are coached in Laos by Oita native Kenji Ozawa, 46, a senior volunteer with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Ozawa introduced each athlete individually, expressing his hope that they would all deliver good races.

Accompanying Ozawa in the visit to the Prefectural Offices were four men entered in the half marathon and one woman who will run the 10 km.  Lieutenant Governor Futsukaichi commented, "I could sense the depth of the bond between Ozawa and his athletes.  I hope to see them reap the full benefits of their training."

Ozawa began a two-year volunteer mission to help cultivate Laos' long-distance athletes in September, 2011, but returned to Japan last October due to health…