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Yugeta Betters Own 60+ World Record

Women's 60+ marathon world record holder Mariko Yugeta, 62, bettered her 2:52:13 record Saturday at Tokyo's Itabashi Trial Marathon. Part of the Trial Marathon Series, a nationwide series of professionally-operated uncertified micro-races that has popped up during the coronavirus pandemic, the Itabashi Trial Marathon covered almost 17 laps of a flat 2.5 km course along the Arakawa River on Tokyo's northern border. 

Yugeta went out at just under 4:00/km, going through halfway in 1:24:04 and making it to 30 km in 2:00:08 before her pace started to slip. Ultimately she ran 2:52:01, 1st among the 21 female finishers and 14th overall. "That's it for marathons for this season," she told JRN post-race. "I didn't make it to sub-2:50, but I'll be training hard to go for it at the Tokyo Marathon this fall."

text and photo © 2021 Brett Larner, all rights reserved

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Stefan said…
That is seriously amazing. Isn't that 3 marathons this year already for her? I am in total disbelief that she can perform at such a high level at her age. Her dedication to the sport is something to behold. I'm inspired by her efforts.
April 13, 2021 at 4:56 PM
Anonymous said…
Jan. 31: 2h52’13 (Osaka Marathon)
March 14 : 2h54’31 (Nagoya Marathon)
April 10 : 2h52’01 (Itabashi Trial Marathon)
April 13, 2021 at 8:49 PM
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