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10 Japanese Races Receive IAAF 'Silver' Ranking

http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/sports/67143.html

translated by Brett Larner

On Dec. 20 in London the IAAF released its worldwide ranking of marathons and other road races, with labels including 'Gold' and 'Silver.' 10 races in Japan including the Hokkaido Marathon and the 30000 runner-strong Tokyo Marathon received the 'Silver' ranking, but no domestic races received the highest 'Gold' ranking.

Other 'Silver'-ranked races included the Fukuoka International Marathon, Biwako Mainichi Marathon, Tokyo International Women`s Marathon, Osaka International Women`s Marathon, Nagoya International Women`s Marathon, Nagano Marathon, the 30 km Ome Marathon, and the Marugame Half-Marathon.

12 races worldwide including the London Marathon received the 'Gold' rating. 3 races in Asia including the Beijing Marathon received a 'Gold' label. Japan`s top races were held back from the 'Gold' ranking because they do not feature both elite men`s and women`s fields and are not broadcast internationally on television.

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