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Onyiego Breaks Yamanakako Road Race Course Record


After two straight years of cancelation, 5155 people ran the 42nd Yamanakako Road Race in Sunday in Yamanashi, covering one 13.6 km lap around Lake Yamanaka. Paul Onyiego, 22, won the men's race, setting a new course record of 40:52. A graduate of Yamanashi Gakuin University, Onyiego now runs for local corporate team Fujino Meisui. The Kenyan commented, "It was hot out there, so it was a tough race. I sped up over the last 5 km." The Fujino Meisui team is aiming to qualify for next year's New Year Ekiden for the first time. "As the team's top runner I want to help take things to the next level," he said.

2019 winner Eri Oda, 38, won the women's race again in 50:22. All on her own after 2 km, Oda said, "The view of Mt. Fuji over the lake was really beautiful, so I took some pictures of it while I was running. It was hot and sunny, but even though the conditions were tough Mt. Fuji helped me get through it feeling good." Hiroyasu Yamazaki, 52, won the masters men's division in 49:25, with Mami Tani, 60, winning the masters women's race for the 4th time in a row and 8th time total in 58:43.

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translated by Brett Larner

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