http://www.rikujouweb.com/tokushuu/2011/wghpro2011/oda-1.htm interview by Tatsuo Terada translated by Brett Larner Yoshinori Oda (Team Toyota) - PBs: 5000 m: 13:42.67 (2007) 10000 m: 27:53.55 (2010) half: 1:01:47 (2009) marathon: 2:09:03 (2011) Daegu World Championships marathoner Yoshinori Oda (Team Toyota) never attracted much attention as a contender. In university he turned some heads for running in the 28:20`s for 10000 m, but he never won a Hakone Ekiden stage or a national title. After heading to the corporate team ranks he couldn't quite manage to break 28 minutes, and the Japanese national team remained out of reach. Once reaching his 30`s Oda made the jump to the marathon finishing February's Tokyo Marathon in 2:09:03, 4th overall and the 2nd Japanese finisher. His time put him at all time #3 on the Japanese marathon debut lists and finally scored him a place on the Daegu team. Coming in his eighth year as a corporate runner...
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