Japanese Distance Runners Racing Overseas

Japanese distance runners didn't exactly impress in Rio, but the next month or two will see quite a few racing on the roads overseas in search of keiken, that ever-elusive experience that is somehow going to someday transform them into Olympic marathon medalists. A few of the road races with Japanese athletes on their entry lists:

Sept. 11: Muenster Marathon, Germany
men: Shingo Igarashi (Josai University Coaching Staff)
women: Yoshiko Sakamoto (Y.W.C.)

Sept. 11: Great North Run, U.K.
men: Kazuhiro Maeda (Kyudenko)

Sept. 18: Sydney Marathon, Australia
men: Sota Hoshi (Fujitsu)

Sept. 18: Porto Half Marathon, Portugal
men: Hiroshi Ichida (Asahi Kasei), Shun Inoura (Yachiyo Kogyo), Yusei Nakao (Smiley Angel AC)
women: Nao Isaka (Hitachi), Ayumi Kubo (Kagoshima Ginko)

Sept. 25: Berlin Marathon, Germany
men: Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't)
women: Reia Iwade (Noritz)

Sept. 25: Warsaw Marathon, Poland
men: Akiyuki Iwanaga (Kyudenko)

Oct. 9: Chicago Marathon, U.S.A.
men: Takuya Fukatsu (Asahi Kasei), Koji Gokaya (JR Higashi Nihon), Kazuya Ishida (Nishitetsu), Ryoichi Matsuo (Asahi Kasei)

Oct. 23: Venice Marathon, Italy
men: Yusei Nakao (Smiley Angel AC)

Nov. 6: Porto Marathon, Portugal
men: Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't)

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