Hot conditions held back fast times at the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon Sunday, where Ugandan Stella Chesang and Kenya Hillary Kipkoech took the top spots over last year's winners Dolphine Nyaboke Omare and Amos Kurgat . In the women's race Chesang, Omare and Kenyan-born Bahraini Eunice Chebichii Chumba went out as a trio, Japan-based Hellen Ekarare with them initially but eventually dropping out. After a 15:39 opening 5 km Chumba started to slip off, and by 15 km Chesang was on her own. Chesang won in 1:07:59, solid given the conditions, with Omare 2nd in 1:08:31 and Chumba 3rd in 1:09:10. Rinka Hida was the first Japanese woman, 5th overall in 1:12:06 behind Australian Genevieve Gregson . A lead men's pack of 11 went through 5 km in 14:31, but by 10 km it was down to Kipkoech, Kurgat, , Timothy Kiplagat , Ugandan Stephen Kissa and Japan-based Kenyans Patrick Mathenge Wambui and Anthony Maina . At 15 km in 43:40 only Kurgat and Kipkoech were left, and over the last 5
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On the US side you're missing Hall, Meb, Ritz, Abdi, Sell. All of whom would I think at the least, give the last placed guy a good run for his money and in some cases be well clear.
Unfortunately I'm a Brit and with the possible exception of Dan Robinson and maybe Andi Jones I doubt we'd have many beating the last American finisher...
I hear what you're saying about priorities, although at least two of the bigger-name Americans you mention would be hard-pressed to crack the Japanese squad. For what it's worth, there are two other guys who ran 2:08 and four other guys who ran 2:09 within the Berlin qualification window but didn't make the Japanese team.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that Canada is actually sending some marathoners this time. From the looks of it they might be able to give the U.S. a go in the Marathon World Cup team competition.