http://kumanichi.com/lsports/kiji/20110210001.shtml translated by Brett Larner On Feb. 9 the organizers of the 55th edition of the world's most competitive 30 km race, the Kumanichi 30 km Road Race scheduled for Feb. 27 in Kumamoto, Kyushu, announced the 13 athletes in this year's elite field. Known as "The Gateway to the Marathon," Kumanichi typically invites young corporate and university runners still in their 20's to get their first experience of longer distance. 2nd by just one second at this year's New Year Ekiden, Team Fujitsu sends two men to try to follow team leader Atsushi Fujita 's win at last year's Kumanichi. Shoji Akutsu won the New Year Ekiden's Sixth Stage, while Shota Yamaguchi was 5th on the competitive Third Stage. New Year Ekiden winner Team Toyota will field Takamasa Uchida , while 3rd place Team Nissin Shokuhin is sending Kenichi Jiromaru . Two of the strong Team Kanebo's youngest members, Tomoyuki Morita and Hiroki Ka...
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