The Fukuoka International Marathon held its 75th and final running on Dec. 5. One legendary runner began his career at historic Heiwaidai Field, Fukuoka's start and finish point, and went on to become the first Japanese marathoner to stand at the top of the world. He is Shigeki Tanaka , 90, winner of the 1951 Boston Marathon. Tanaka was deeply moved as he watched the last edition of the race on TV from his home in Utsunomiya. In 1950 Heita Okabe , who laid the foundation for modern Japanese sports, proposed the creation of an Olympic development program to Shizo Kanakuri , the father of Japanese marathoning. Tanaka was one of the program's original members. In an era of shortages in the basic necessities of life, Tanaka packed a backpack with rice and a blanket and traveled from Hiroshima to Fukuoka. The program's first session took place at Heiwadai Field and neighboring Ohori Park. Under Okabe and Kanakuri's direction he and the other participants gained strength do...
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