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Hosoda Runs Fastest-Ever Japanese Women's London Marathon Time

Five elite Japanese athletes were at Sunday's London Marathon. In the women's race, Ai Hosoda (Edion) followed up on her 2:24:26 from Nagoya this spring with a 2:21:42 for 9th, over a minute faster than the previous best-ever by a Japanese woman in Great Britian run 20 years ago in London by the great Reiko Tosa. In Nagoya Hosoda went with the leaders at sub-2:21 pace and faded after 20 km. Here she ran steadily at 2:21 pace and survived to come home with the fastest Japanese time overseas so far this year. Reia Iwade (Adidas) dropped out after 25 km, tweeting later that she had had leg pain that forced her to stop.

In the men's race, 2019 Doha World Championships team member Kohei Futaoka (Chudenko) was the top finisher at 11th in 2:14:18, just ahead of veteran Naoki Okamoto (Chugoku Denryoku). Futaoka's teammate Naoki Aiba (Chudenko) went out fastest and died hardest, finishing 27th in 2:22:45, one second slower than Tosa's previous Japanese women's GBR-soil record. Complete results here.

© 2022 Brett Larner, all rights reserved

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Stefan said…
What more can be said, Ai Hosoda ran superbly. Another superb effort from a Japanese women's marathoner after so many last Sunday at Berlin. The depth of talent at the elite level is so even and so deep. Next year's MGC race is going to be such a close battle. Earlier in the year, I would have said we have a battle of 2 between Mao Ichiyama (PB 2:20:29) and Mizuki Matsuda (PB 2:20:52). They have undoubtedly been the 2 consistent standout performers. But now, we have Hitomi Niiya (PB 2:21:17), Yuka Ando (PB 2:21:36), Ai Hosoda (PB 2:21:42), Rika Kaseda (PB 2:21:55), Ayuko Suzuki (PB 2:22:02), and Sayaka Sato (PB 2:22:13) in very close pursuit and I believe if Honami Maeda is able to run a marathon at full fitness we will have her added. I apologize if I have missed anyone that should be included. The MGC race next year will be a very close affair especially as the 'newcomers' Ai Hosoda and Rika Kaseda could have even more improvement ahead of them by race day. I recall how Mao Ichiyama improved dramatically from the MGC race in 2019 (2:24:33) to the Nagoya race in 2020 (2:20:29), all in the space of one year! I'm curious to know what marathon Honami Maeda will be targeting to try and get MGC qualification after she had to withdraw from the Hokkaido race due to COVID.
October 3, 2022 at 8:01 AM
Stefan said…
Honami Maeda just liked a tweet from JAAF regarding the Japan Marathon Championship series in which they have added some marathons to participate for qualification. Perhaps the 53rd Hofu Yomiuri Marathon is the one she will be taking part in? Scheduled for 4 December 2022. It would be great if she could gain qualification this year.
October 4, 2022 at 9:06 AM
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