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Bunuka Wins Yaizu Minato Half

Kenyan James Ndiwa Bunuka took the top spot at Sunday's Yaizo Minato Half Marathon, the first runner from Surugadai University to win in Yaizu's 33-year history. Bunuka had pressure early on from three members of 2017 Izumo Ekiden winner Tokai University, but over the second half he pulled away to win by a 22-second margin in 1:03:49. Haruki Minatoya led teammates Shun Yuzawa and Takeshi Nishida in 2nd in 1:04:11.


Yaizu Minato features a unique "pair marathon" team scoring competition, with universities entering three-runner teams from which the top two's times are combined to produce the pair marathon score. Tokai won the pair marathon in 2:08:28, Surugadai a surprise 2nd in 2:08:56. 21 other teams took part, Asia University rounding out the podium in 3rd in 2:11:12.


33rd Yaizu Minato Half Marathon

Yaizu, Shizuoka, 4/8/18

Men
1. James Ndiwa Bunuka (Surugadai Univ.) - 1:03:49
2. Haruki Minatoya (Tokai Univ.) - 1:04:11
3. Shun Yuzawa (Tokai Univ.) - 1:04:17
4. Takeshi Nishida (Tokai Univ.) - 1:04:26
5. Tsubasa Ichiyama (Chuo Gakuin Univ.) - 1:04:54
6. Kosuke Nishizawa (Surugadai Univ.) - 1:05:07
7. Takaya Hashima (Aoyama Gakuin Univ.) - 1:05:24
8. Shoya Yonei (Asia Univ) - 1:05:31
9. Kaito Suzuki (Tokyo Nogyo Univ.) - 1:05:33
10. Masahiro Kamidoi (Asia Univ.) - 1:05:41

Pari Marathon Team Scoring
1. Tokai Univ. - 2:08:28
2. Surugadai Univ. - 2:08:56
3. Asia Univ. - 2:11:12
4. Chuo Gakuin Univ. - 2:11:37
5. Takushoku Univ. - 2:12:08

© 2018 Brett Larner, all rights reserved
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