by Brett Larner photo by shinopota ©Japan Running
Brett Larner – Kawauchi Breaks Own CR at Chitose International Marathon
Pre-race he told JRN, "I'm going for the course record, and unless I fall apart near the end it won't be a problem." In warm temperatures on a tough course including a 155 m climb near halfway and extensive gravel and dirt road sections Kawauchi had little trouble living up to those words and doing away with both his own record and the competition. Runner-up Sho Matsumoto (Arata Project), a 2:13 marathoner in 2013, was almost eight minutes back in 2:23:50.
Women's winner Hiroko Yoshitomi (First Dream AC Saga), like Kawauchi an amateur serial marathoner, won in 2:45:43 by a similar margin over Risa Suzuki (Art Sports), 2nd in 2:52:38. Both Kawauchi and Yoshitomi will line up for their next marathons at July's Gold Coast Airport Marathon in Australia.
34th Chitose JAL International Marathon
Chitose, Hokkaido, 6/1/14
click here for complete results
Men
1. Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) – 2:15:57 – CR
2. Sho Matsumoto (Arata Project) – 2:23:50
3. Takahiro Nakama (Keiei Shien Center) – 2:26:52
Women
1. Hiroko Yoshitomi (First Dream AC Saga) – 2:45:43
2. Risa Suzuki (Art Sports) – 2:52:38
3. Mai Fujisawa (Sapporo City Hall) – 3:03:34
text (c) 2014 Brett Larner
all rights reserved
photo (c) 2014 shinopota
all rights reserved
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