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Weekend Overseas Japanese Race Results

by Brett Larner

Sunday's Chicago Marathon saw the men go out unusually slowly.  Three Japanese men, Takuya Fukatsu (Team Asahi Kasei), Koji Gokaya (Team JR Higashi Nihon) and Ryoichi Matsuo (Team Asahi Kasei) were in the top ten until late in the race, Fukatsu and Gokaya leading at halfway and Fukatsu, a graduate of Komazawa University, still in the top spot at 30 km.  When the move came they were left behind as two-time world champion Abel Kirui (Kenya) took the win in 2:11:23, Fukatsu ultimately finishing 7th in 2:13:53 and Gokaya 9th in 2:14:34.  Fukatsu's placing was the best so far by a Japanese man in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series X, although his time was nearly 3 minutes slower than that of Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) two weeks ago in Berlin.

The women's race was more what you would expect, the pace hot on high 2:20 / low 2:21 track throughout the race.  Florence Kiplagat (Kenya) held steady at that rate to win by almost 2 minutes in 2:21:32 over Edna Kiplagat (Kenya).  No top-level Japanese women ran Chicago, amateur club runner Mitsuko Ino (Kyuhoji RC) the highest placer at 21st in 2:46:23.

The same morning, Akihiko Tsumurai (Team Mazda) took 5th at the Boston Half Marathon in 1:03:39, less than 30 seconds behind winner Daniel Salel (Kenya).  With a 1:01:58 best, Tsumurai's time in Boston was his fastest to date in a half marathon outside Japan.  Mary Wacera (Kenya) took the women's race in 1:10:19.

Chicago Marathon
Chicago, U.S.A., 10/10/16
click here for complete results

Men
1. Abel Kirui (Kenya) - 2:11:23
2. Dickson Chumba (Kenya) - 2:11:26
3. Gideon Kipketer (Kenya) - 2:12:20
4. Paul Lonyangata (Kenya) - 2:13:17
5. Stephen Sambu (Kenya) - 2:13:35
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7. Takuya Fukatsu (Japan/Asahi Kasei) - 2:13:53
9. Koji Gokaya (Japan/JR Higashi Nihon) - 2:14:34
14. Ryoichi Matsuo (Japan/Asahi Kasei) - 2:18:50
25. Kazuya Ishida (Japan/Nishitetsu) - 2:23:02

Women
1. Florence Kiplagat (Kenya) - 2:21:32
2. Edna Kiplagat (Kenya) - 2:23:28
3. Valentine Kipketer (Kenya) - 2:23:41
4. Purity Kionoripo (Kenya) - 2:24:47
5. Yebrgual Melese (Ethiopia) - 2:24:49
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21. Mitsuko Ino (Japan/Kyuhoji RC) - 2:46:23

Boston Half Marathon
Boston, U.S.A., 10/10/16
click here for complete results

Men
1. Daniel Salel (Kenya) - 1:03:13
2. Abraham Kipyatich (Kenya) - 1:03:22
3. Tsegay Tuemay (Eritrea) - 1:03:29
4. Eliud Ngetich (Kenya) - 1:03:31
5. Akihiko Tsumurai (Japan/Mazda) - 1:03:39

Women
1. Mary Wacera (Kenya) - 1:10:19
2. Diane Nukuri (Burundi) - 1:10:52
3. Valentine Kibet (Kenya) - 1:14:42
4. Heather Cappello (U.S.A.) - 1:15:53
5. Mary Davies (New Zealand) - 1:17:10

© 2016 Brett Larner
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