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Nagano Marathon Announces Elite Field

by Brett Larner

The organizing committee of the 11th Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon to be held April 20 has announced the elite fields for the men's and women's competitions.

Headlining the list of invited overseas male runners are 2007 Beijing Marathon and 2006 Nagano Marathon winner Nephat Kinyanjui of Kenya (2:08:09 PB), 2005 Helsinki World Championships marathon silver medalist Christopher Isegwe of Tanzania (2:10:21 PB) and two-time Olympic marathon medalist Eric Wainaina of Kenya (2:08:43 PB). The domestic field is somewhat weak in this Olympic year, but includes veterans Tomohiro Seto (Team Kanebo) and Kazutaka Enoki (Team Toyota Boshoku) along with the marathon debut of half marathon ace Takashi Maeda (Team Toyota Boshoku). Japan-resident Kenyans Willy Kimutai and Willy Kirui Kiptoo will also be debuting and could be factors.

The women's field features former world record holder Tegla Loroupe of Kenya (2:20:43 PB), defending champion Alevtina Ivanova of Russia (2:27:48 PB) and first-time marathoner Asnakech Mengistu of Ethiopia. The domestic field includes three women with PB times under 2:30, namely Miyuki Ando (Team Daiichi Seimei), Mai Tagami (Team Aruze), and Chihiro Tanaka (Team DyDo). Two-time Olympic marathon medalist Rosa Mota of Portugal is scheduled to appear as a guest runner.

A complete list of the elite field is available here.

(c) 2008 Brett Larner
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