japan running news

With regard to next February's race, the organizing committee of the Kitakyushu Marathon has announced, "We are taking steps toward moving forward with plans to hold the event." Kitakyushu mayor Kenji Kitahashi , head of the organizing committee, made the comments at a general committee meeting on July 1. With this year's race having been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, if the event happens it will be its first edition in two years. As countermeasures against the pandemic, the 3 km and 5 km fun run events will be canceled, and no places will be set aside for international runners. The marathon will have a field size of 11,000, with applications opening on Aug. 16 and continuing through Sept. 21. source article: https://rkb.jp/news/003051.html translated by Brett Larner

http://mainichi.jp/area/yamaguchi/news/20120829ddlk35050403000c.html http://www.tvq.co.jp/news/news.php?did=8331 translated and edited by Brett Larner London Olympics men's marathoner and Shimonoseki native Kentaro Nakamoto  (29, Team Yasukawa Denki), met with Yamaguchi prefecture lieutenant governor Minoru Okada  Aug. 28 at the Yamaguchi Prefectural Government headquarters to discuss his 6th-place finish at the Olympics.  Lieutenant Governor Okada complimented Nakamoto, telling him, "Your run was a great source of pride for all citizens of Yamaguchi.  We were all tremendously impressed and inspired by the way you came up late in the race."  In honor of Nakamoto's performance the lieutenant governor presented him with a selection of locally-produced agricultural and marine food and other items produced by companies within the prefecture. Lieutenant Governor Okada also asked Nakamoto, "What do you think about while you are running?"  Nakamoto replie...