japan running news

by Brett Larner

For the sixth year in a row, the Japanese men's team came out on top of the IAU 24 World Championships with a team gold medal at this year's event in Brive, France. Despite only fielding two members of last year's winning squad the team won by a wide margin over runner-up Italy thanks to member Shingo Inoue's individual gold medal-winning run of 273.708 km. Two-time bronze medalist Yuji Sakai fell just short of making it a third medal as he finished 4th with 258.907 km. Masahiko Honda rounded out the scoring positions in 15th with a total of 246.063 km.

The Japanese women team finished 6th out of 16 teams led by Kiyoko Shirakawa, 7th with 220.986 km.

2010 IAU 24 Hour World Championships - Top Finishers
Men - Individual
click here for complete results
1. Shingo Inoue (Japan) - 273.708 km
2. Scott Jurek (U.S.A.) - 266.677 km
3. Ivan Cudin (Italy) - 263.841 km
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4. Yuji Sakai (Japan) - 258.907 km
15. Masahiko Honda (Japan) - 246.063 km
20. Ryo Abiko (Japan) - 242.…

http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/news/20080519k0000e050087000c.html

translated by Brett Larner

Sumie Inagaki of Aichi Prefecture broke her own world record to win the women`s race at the 2008 Surgeres 48-Hour Ultramarathon. Held in Surgeres, France from May 16th to 18th, the Surgeres Ultra features a loop course 300 m in length. Inagaki set a new world record of 382.718 km to take 1st. Masae Kamura of Tokyo was 3rd.

Ryoichi Sekiya of Kanagawa Prefecture likewise won the men`s competition, running 401.416 km to take the top spot. Last year`s winner Masayuki Otaki of Tokyo was 6th. This year`s event was the 23rd running of the Surgeres Ultra, making it one of the world`s great races.

JRN reader Jaris sent a link to complete Surgeres results: http://www.48heures-surgeres.net/archive/2008/05/13/pointage_live_2008?hour=48