japan running news

http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=200811/2008110300194&rel=j&g=spo http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2008110300213 translated and edited by Brett Larner On the 3rd stage of the Nov. 3 Awajishima Women's Ekiden, Beijing Olympics women's marathon 13th-place finisher Yurika Nakamura of Team Tenmaya finished with the 3rd-fastest time behind the new stage record performance of Team Wacoal's Kayoko Fukushi and the stellar debut run by Team Daihatsu's Ryoko Kisaki, the former Bukkyo University ace. "I still can't run 100%," a disappointed Nakamura said after the race. "The middle section was no good." Team Tenmaya head coach Yutaka Taketomi commented, "Losing to Fukushi was kind of a given, but losing to Kisaki.....Yurika's still suffering from the Olympics and hasn't taken the next step forward yet." Looking to the future, Nakamura told reporters, "I want to focus on getting my track times down. I think I can match Fukush...

by Brett Larner Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo won its ninth consecutive victory at the East Japan Jitsugyodan Women's Ekiden in Saitama Prefecture after a commanding performance by team star Yoko Shibui on the third stage of a new six stage 42.195 km course. Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo, having lost longtime coach Hideo Suzuki, now heads to December's All-Japan Jitsugyodan Women's Ekiden where it has been national champion six of the last eight years, finishing 2nd the two years it failed to win. Shibui's arch-rival Kayoko Fukushi likewise led Team Wacoal to a win in the 18th Awajishima Women's Ekiden, like East Japan featuring a 42.195 km course comprised of six stages. Fukushi ran a new stage record on the ekiden's third leg and outdid competing teams from four regions of central Japan. Team Wacoal also goes on to the All-Japan Jitsugyodan Women's Ekiden where it will face Team Mitsui Sumitomo Kaijo for the 2008 National title. In East Japan, runners from Team ...

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2008/10/16/07.html http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/081013/spg0810131848008-n1.htm translated and edited by Brett Larner The entry lists for the Nov. 3rd Awajishima Women's Ekiden were released at an Osaka press conference on Oct. 15. Heading the list are Beijing Olympians Kayoko Fukushi (26, Team Wacoal), who finished 11th in the 10000 m, and Yurika Nakamura (22, Team Tenmaya), who was 13th in the marathon. The two are expected to run against each other on the ekiden's longest stage, the 11.78 km 3rd leg. The dangerous road racer Nakamura is considering another shot at the marathon. There is a possibility that Fukushi, who debuted at the marathon in January's Osaka International Women's Marathon, may also give the distance another try later in the season, but at last weekend's Niigata Big Festa track and field meet Fukushi herself said only, "I'm getting ready for ekiden season." Team Wacoal head coach Tadayuki ...