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Suzuki Wins Record-Breaking Hakodate Half Marathon

http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/sports/408197.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

Kicking off the fall season on the streets of Hakodate, Hokkaido, the 2012 Hakodate Half Marathon took place on Sept. 30 starting at Chiyogadai Field.  The field limit this year doubled from 2000 to 4000 runners, and a record 3107 people from across the country started the race, an increase of 1300 over last year.  Despite pre-typhoon rain 3026 of the starters finished.

This year marked Hakodate's 22nd year as a Rikuren-certified course.  Sumiko Suzuki (26, Team Hokuren) ran 1:16:36 to take her second-straight title in the women's race, with Kenyan James Mwangi (28, Team NTN) winning his first men's title in 1:04:10.
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