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Seoul International Marathon - Japanese Results

by Brett Larner

Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) returned to the race where he set his 2:08:14 PB two years ago, running the Dong-A Seoul International Marathon in South Korea on Mar. 15.  As Kenyan Wilson Loyanae Erupe, returning from a two-year ban for EPO, led an all-African lead pack to a 2:06:11 win, Kawauchi, working his way back from injuries originating with a sprained ankle in December, ran in the second pack with South Korea's Yu Seung Yeup and Sim Joung Seu on mid-2:12 pace.  After a slower split from 30 to 35 km Yeup dropped a surge that neither Seu nor Kawauchi could follow, running alone over the last 5 km to take 14th in 2:13:10.  Seu and Kawauchi stayed together through 40 km before Seu kicked for 15th in 2:13:28, Kawauchi coming through 5 seconds back in 2:13:33 in the fastest time he has run so far this year.

In the women's race Ethiopian Guteni Shone Imana pulled away from the lead pack near halfway, soloing the second half to win in 2:26:22.  Starting more conservatively, local Kim Seong Eun and China's Xueqin Wang ran down the pack after 30 km to take 2nd and 3rd in 2:28:20 and 2:28:39.  Japan's Megumi Amako (Canon AC Kyushu) likewise started easy and advanced late in the race to take 6th in 2:34:28.  Kaori Yoshida, returning from her own EPO ban, started in the same pack as Eun and Wang but slowed dramatically to 12th in 2:37:37.

Dong-A Seoul International Marathon
Seoul, South Korea, 3/15/15
click here for complete results

Men
1. Wilson Loyanae Erupe (Kenya) - 2:06:11
2. Felix Kipchirchir Kiprotich (Kenya) - 2:06:59
3. Jacob Kibet (Kenya) - 2:07:47
4. Dadi Yami Gemeda (Ethiopia) - 2:08:05
5. Abreham Cherkos (Ethiopia) - 2:08:14
6. Yakob Jarso (Ethiopia) - 2:09:38
7. Eliud Kiptanui (Kenya) - 2:10:11
8. Sammy Kigen (Kenya) - 2:10:36
9. Berhanu Shiferaw (Ethiopia) - 2:11:01
10. Tadesse Abraham (Switzerland) - 2:11:37
-----
16. Yuki Kawauchi (Japan/Saitama Pref. Gov't) - 2:13:33

Women
1. Guteni Shone Imana (Ethiopia) - 2:26:22
2. Kim Seong Eun (South Korea) - 2:28:20
3. Xueqin Wang (China) - 2:28:39
4. Chao Yue (China) - 2:29:26
5. Chaltu Chimdesa Kumsa (Ethiopia) - 2:30:28
6. Megumi Amako (Japan/Canon AC Kyushu) - 2:34:28
7. Kim Jie Un (South Korea) - 2:34:41
8. Megertu Ifa Geletu (Ethiopia) - 2:34:52
9. Lee Suk Jeong (South Korea) - 2:35:25
10. Lim Eun Ha (South Korea) - 2:35:41
-----
12. Kaori Yoshida (Japan) - 2:37:37

(c) 2015 Brett Larner
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