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Fukushi Leads Team Wacoal to West Japan Corporate Women's Ekiden Course Record

http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/sports/local/20121029000154

translated and edited by Brett Larner

At the Oct. 28 West Japan Corporate Women's Ekiden, a six-stage, 42.195 km race beginning in front of City Hall in Munakata, Fukuoka, Team Wacoal set a new course record of 2:17:38 to take its first West Japan win.  One week ahead of her planned appearance at the New York City Marathon, Kayoko Fukushi set a new course record on the 10.2 km Third Stage, passing eleven opponents to give Wacoal a lead that was never cracked.  Team Daihatsu was 2nd in 2:18:43, with Athens Olympics women's marathon gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi-led Team Sysmex 3rd in 2:19:23.

The West Japan Corporate Women's Ekiden served as the regional qualifier for December's National Corporate Women's Ekiden Championships in Miyagi.  The top five teams in West Japan were guaranteed to qualify, with any teams clearing 2:23 also picking up places on the start line at the National Championships.  Twelve of the sixteen teams running West Japan achieved sub-2:23 marks.

2012 West Japan Corporate Women's Ekiden
Munakata, Fukuoka, 10/28/12

1. Team Wacoal - 2:17:38 - CR
2. Team Daihatsu - 2:18:43
3. Team Sysmex - 2:19:23
4. Team Tenmaya - 2:19:38
5. Team Otsuka Seiyaku - 2:19:39
6. Team Juhachi Ginko - 2:19:58
7. Team Kyocera - 2:20:12
8. Team Kyudenko - 2:21:19
9. Team Noritz - 2:21:23
10. Team Shikoku Denryoku - 2:21:44
11. Canon AC Kyushu - 2:22:23
12. Team Edion - 2:22:58
----- bottom four teams did not qualify for National Championships
13. Team Uniqlo - 2:23:46
14. Team Toto - 2:24:02
15. Team Higo Ginko - 2:25:47
16. Team Kagoshima Ginko - 2:31:09

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