japan running news

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/etc/news/20080128-OHT1T00231.htm translated by Brett Larner On Jan. 28, the organizers of the Chiba International Cross Country meet announced the elite fields for this year's race, to be held Feb. 10 in Chiba's Showa No Mori. The men's 12 km field includes 5000 m national record holder Takayuki Matsumiya (Team Konica Minolta) and Hakone Ekiden star Yuki Sato (Tokai University). The women's 6 km field includes 2006 Asia Games marathon bronze medalist Kayoko Obata (Team Acom). This meet will be used as a selection race for the March's World Cross Championships in the U.K.

http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?key=&k=200801/2008010600071&rel=j&g=spo http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?key=&k=200801/2008010600076&rel=j&g=spo http://www.the-miyanichi.co.jp/contents/?itemid=4557 translated and edited by Brett Larner Kenyan Julia Mombi won the 28th Miyazaki Women's Road Race half marathon on Jan. 6 in a PB time of 1:09:34. She followed her pre-race plan precisely, attacking with 2 km to go and dropping Hiroko Miyauchi of Team Oki. Mombi attended Aomori Yamada High School and now runs for Team Aruze. She is preparing for the Jan. 27 Osaka International Women's Marathon , where she hopes to run 2:25 to qualify for the Kenyan marathon team at the Beijing Olympics. Mombi enthusiastically smiled, "I ran easily today. My legs have gotten stronger." Miyauchi finished 20 seconds behind Mombi in 2nd place, while Miyauchi's sister Yoko, also of Team Oki, finished 3rd. 2006 Asia Games women's marathon bronze medalist Kayoko Obata of Team Aco...