japan running news

http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/news/kind=2/newsid=40339.html

http://www.supersport.co.za/athletics/article.aspx?id=225430

http://www.letsrun.com/2007/nychalfwomen0805.php written by Brett Larner Three Japanese women placed in the top 10 at the 2007 New York Half-Marathon. Yuri Kano ran in the lead pack for most of the race, finishing 4th in 1:11:05. Megumi Oshima also ran in the lead pack, fading to 6th in 1:11:35. Akemi Ozaki finished further back, 7th in 1:13:37.

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=2041433&page=1 written by Brett Larner World 30km record holder and 2007 Rotterdam Marathon runner-up Takayuki Matsumiya ran a new Japanese national record of 13:13.20 for 5000m at a track meet in Heusden, Belgium. Matsumiya placed 5th overall.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/flash/KFullFlash20070702048.html translated by Brett Larner Wataru Okutani, the top member of Japan`s World Championships Marathon team, has been forced to withdraw from the team due to complications arising from an appendectomy. Okutani was the top Japanese finisher and 4th overall at last year`s Fukuoka International Marathon in a PB time of 2:08:49. He was also the third scoring member of Japan`s gold medal-winning team at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. Okutani has been replaced by alternate Tomoyuki Sato who was the top Japanese finisher and 2nd overall in this year`s Tokyo Marathon where he ran 2:11:22. Sato also ran Fukuoka, finishing as 5th Japanese and 10th overall in 2:12:29.

Races in Japan usually close entry at least a month beforehand, often much longer. They generally do not have race day entry and race organizers are not willing to make special exceptions for foreigners. If you are coming to Japan for, say, a business trip in two weeks, it is not possible to enter a race. If you are making longer-range plans then it may be possible to find a suitable event using the following services: Samurai Running Japan is a long-standing entry service that focuses on smaller races to help overseas visitors "experience the 'real' Japan."  Along with entry it assists with accommodations and transportation. Launched in September, 2015, Runnet Japan is an English-language branch of Runnet, Japan's dominant online entry service, catering to the international community.  The number of races offered on Runnet Japan is still limited but constantly expanding. Other entry services like Sports Entry , TecNet and the new Sportsnavi Do still...

Jitsugyodan teams are professional corporate-sponsored organizations which make up the backbone of Japanese post-collegiate distance running. Runners typically receive low-stress, low-time commitment positions within a company along with professional coaching, time off for training, medical care, housing and salary. In return they devote themselves to running for the company`s ekiden team and appearing in major marathon and track races wearing the company`s uniform. Men`s Jitsugyodan Teams and Pro Clubs Aichi Seiko  * Aisan Kogyo  * Asahi Kasei * Bel'x Supermarkets *  Chudenko * Chugoku Denryoku  * Chuo Hatsujo * Comody Iida * DeNA *  Fujitsu * Hitachi Butsuryu  * Honda * JFE Steel  * JR Higashi Nihon  * Kanebo * Komori Corp * Konica Minolta * Kurosaki Harima * Kyudenko * M&K * Mazda *  Mitsubishi Juko Nagasaki * Mizuno * Monteroza * Nanyo City Hall *  Nishitetsu * Nissin Shokuhin  * NTN * NTT Nishi Nihon...

Races in bold type include nationally-broadcast and other first-tier events. January New Year Ekiden Hakone Ekiden (secondary site here ) Oita Godo Half Marathon Unzen Obama Half Marathon Asahi Ekiden (R.I.P.) All-Japan Women`s Interprefectural Ekiden (secondary site here ) Kita-Kyushu Women's Invitational Ekiden All-Japan Men`s Interprefectural Ekiden (secondary site here ) Osaka Half Marathon Osaka International Women`s Marathon (secondary site here ) Meigi Ekiden Chugoku Yamaguchi Ekiden February Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon  (secondary site here ) Kanagawa Half Marathon Moriya Half Marathon Himejijo 10 Mile Road Race Karatsu 10 Mile Road Race Nobeoka Nishi Nippon Marathon (secondary site here ) Chiba International Cross Country Chugoku Women's Ekiden Ome Marathon 30 km (secondary site here and tertiary site here ) Fukuoka International Cross Country Tokyo Marathon (secondary site here ) Kumanichi 30 km Road...