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4 University Women Eagerly Anticipate Their 30 km Debuts at the Ome Marathon

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/event/sports/news/20080130-OHT1T00020.htm

translated by Brett Larner

Four flowers are coming to Ome. 6-year All-Japan University Women's Ekiden competitors Josai Kokusai University will be sending four of its 3rd year runners to take part in the Ome Marathon's 30 km event. Team member Chihiro Takahashi, who was 5th on the 4th stage of last October's All-Japan, explained her motivation: "I want to try to stay with the jitsugyodan runners the entire way and be the top university runner."

This will be the first time for any of the Josai Kokusai women to run a 30 km road race. Yuko Morita has her own perspective. "I don't have any speed but I like running longer distances. I want to show everyone my strong points in Ome." As part of the team's ekiden training it does 20 km long runs to build stamina. To train specifically for Ome's hilly course, the group added daily repeat sessions on a nearby 50 m tall slope.

The team's coach Masami Otsuka ran the Hakone Ekiden all four years he attended Nittai University, recording stage best performances each time. Otsuka has his team doing regular aerobics and weight training sessions to help develop all-around fitness. Once a week he has the team play basketball or soccer to improve teamwork, snap decision making, and competitive spirit. "It's important to burn off stress too," says team member Hiroyo Iiboshi.

"It's something we've never done, so we're really excited for it," say all four runners, but they add that their main goal for this year is to get Josai Kokusai back into the top six seeded slots at this year's All-Japan University Women's Ekiden. In only the team's 2nd season it qualified for All-Japan, improving over the next three years from 15th to 3rd place. At last year's ekiden the team fell to 12th and failed to secure a seeded position for the first time in four years.

Michiyo Oniki continues, "It will be great if the extra training we did for Ome turns out to be a plus for our ekidens too. I think some runners from our rival schools are going to be there too, so we don't want to fail." With added experience from strong runs in Ome, these four women will be able to return to school confident for a successful ekiden season.

Josai Kokusai University Women's Ekiden Team
Founded in 2001 in Togane, Chiba Prefecture. Qualified for All-Japan University Women's Ekiden in 2002. Finished 3rd in All-Japan in 2005, 5th in 2006 and 12th in 2007. 11th place at last year's All-Japan Invitational Ekiden. 19 team members, coaching staff of 4. Head coach Masami Otsuka ran for Nittai University, running all four years including two victories and four stage best performances (8th, 5th, 2nd and 2nd stages).
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