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Mizuki Noguchi to Run National Women`s Ekiden After 7-Year Absence

http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/article.php?mid=P2007120600102&genre=L1&area=K10
http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/article.php?mid=P2007122500021&genre=L1&area=K10

translated by Brett Larner

Athens Olympics women`s marathon gold medallist Mizuki Noguchi (29, Team Sysmex) confirmed on Dec. 5 that she will run for Mie Prefecture in next month`s 26th All-Japan Interprefectural Women`s Ekiden, sponsored by Japan Rikuren, The Kyoto Newspaper Group, and NHK. The ekiden will be held in Kyoto on Jan. 13. Noguchi is scheduled to run the 10 km anchor stage in her first appearance at this ekiden in 7 years.

Noguchi first appeared in the Interprefectural Women`s Ekiden at the 14th edition of the race in 1996 during her days as a student at Uji Yamada Vocational High School, competing for Mie Prefecture for 6 straight years. Under the ekiden`s old `Hometown Rule,` prefectural teams were allowed to field runners who lived elsewhere if such runners were originally from the prefecture. Runners who fell into this category were allowed to participate a maximum of 4 times. Since Noguchi had used up this elligibility she has not taken part in the Interprefectural Women`s Ekiden since she relocated her training base out of Mie. In this year`s event race officials eliminated the elligibility cap, clearing the way for Noguchi`s return.

Noguchi won November`s Tokyo International Women`s Marathon, demonstrating her intent to become the first woman to defend an Olympic marathon title when she runs at the Beijing Olympics in August next year. Team Sysmex coach Nobuyuki Fujita described Noguchi`s return to the ekiden, saying "This is an important race. She wants to do something to give back to her hometown in return for all the support they have given her thoughout her career."
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