japan running news

JRN will be on location at the 2010 Ottawa Marathon for the next week. Apologies for any interruptions to regularly scheduled service during this time, but we will be bringing you exclusive coverage throughout race weekend.

This year's outstanding men's field includes world junior record holder Bazu Worku (Ethiopia), 2:07 men Philip Manyim (Kenya) and Teferi Wodajo (Ethiopia), 2:08 runner Arata Fujiwara (Japan) and defending champion David Cheruiyot (Kenya). The 10 km features luminaries Deriba Merga (Ethiopia) and Dire Tune (Ethiopia).

For complete elite field listings, click here for the marathon or here for the 10 km.

http://runottawa.ca/index.php/en/media/media-centre/2010/05/19/550

Arata Fujiwara (Proposer Japan) makes his racing debut since going independent last month at the May 30 Ottawa Marathon.

2010 Ottawa Marathon Elite Field - Top Entrants
click here for complete elite field listing
Men
Bazu Worku (Ethiopia) - 2:06:15 (2009)
Philip Manyim (Kenya) - 2:07:41 (2005)
Teferi Wodajo (Ethiopia) - 2:07:45 (2009)
Arata Fujiwara (Japan) - 2:08:40 (2008)
Hussan Adelo (Ethiopia) - 2:09:09 (2010)
Hillary Kimaiyo (Kenya) - 2:09:54 (2008)
John Njoroge (Kenya) - 2:10:00 (2006)
Wegayehu Girma Tefera (Ethiopia) - 2:10:09 (2010)
Gebo Burka Gameda (Ethiopia) - 2:10:18 (2009)
David Cheruiyot (Kenya) - 2:10:36 (2007)

Women
Rose Kerubo (Kenya) - 2:29:22 (2007)
Lioudmila Kortchaguila (Canada) - 2:29:42 (2007)
Alemitu Abera (Ethiopia) - 2:31:01 (2010)
Merima Mohammed (Ethiopia) - 2:33:56 (2009)
Radiya Adlo (Ethiopia) - 2:35:00 (2009)
10 km click here for complete elite field listing Men Deriba Merga (Ethiopia) - 27:24 (2009) Robert Letti…

by Brett Larner

Lost in the shuffle following Tsegaye Kebede's record-breaking run at today's Fukuoka International Marathon, the world's most competitive 10-miler took place across Kyushu at the 2009 Kumamoto Kosa 10 Mile Road Race. A total of 90 men broke 50 minutes at the race, a tune-up for the Jan. 1 New Year Ekiden national corporate championships.

In the "International Division," made up of Japan-based foreigners who run for Japanese corporate teams and are given an inscrutable one-minute headstart, 2007 World Championships 10000 m bronze medalist Martin Mathathi (Team Suzuki) won in 44:52, just one second off his course and world junior record of 44:51. In the Japanese Division, former Juntendo University Hakone Ekiden "God of the Mountain" 5th Stage record breaker Masato Imai (Team Toyota Kyushu) scored the first big result of his pro career with a 46:40 win by one second over university-era Hakone 5th stage rival Satoru Kitamura (Team Nissin Sho…

by Brett Larner

Fifteen hours after running the 10000 m, most of the men's and women's fields at the 2009 National Jitsugyodan Track and Field Championships were back for the 5000 m qualifying heats. In both the men's and women's cases, the top eight finishers in each of the three equally-balanced heats along with the next three fastest times overall would make tonight's final. 10000 m winners Gideon Ngatuny (Team Nissin Shokuhin) and Philes Ongori (Team Hokuren) loped to easy wins in their heats, with Kenyans also taking the top spots in the other two men's and two women's heats. The runners will return at 7:20 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. for the final, in most cases their third race in 24 hours.

2009 National Corporate Track and Field Championships - Top Results
click event headers for complete results

Men's 5000 m - Heat One
1. Gideon Ngatuny (Team Nissin Shokuhin) - 13:59.14
2. Tomoya Onishi (Team Asahi Kasei) - 13:59.31
3. Jonthan Ndiku (Team Hitachi Cable) - 14:0…

by Brett Larner

Japanese 3000 m, 5000 m and half marathon national record holder Kayoko Fukushi (Team Wacoal) provided the standout performance of the third meet in the Hokuren Distance Challenge series, held June 11 in Fukugawa, Hokkaido. Fukushi overcame problems she has faced since her memorable marathon debut in January to win the 10000 m in an Olympic A-standard time of 31:30.94. It was a last-chance attempt by Fukushi to make the Olympic-qualifying National Track and Field Championships 10000 m on June 27 and was a commanding solo performance, with 2nd-place finisher Satoe Matsumoto (Team Nihon ChemiCon) far behind in 32:31.43.

An interview after the race quoted Fukushi saying, "I`m a bit late getting on board, so it was a good run." Fukushi also revealed that while preparing for the Fukugawa meet at a training camp in Chitose, Hokkaido, her training included screaming while running.

The women`s 10000 m at the Nationals now looks set to be a dream matchup, with Fukushi f…