Augusto, Birmingham, Fujiwara, Mathathi Headline Marugame Half – translated and edited by Brett Larner – Japan Running News

Event

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On Jan. 14 the organizers of the Feb. 2 Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon announced the 35 men and 12 women making up the domestic and overseas elite fields for the event's 68th running. London Olympics marathoner Arata Fujiwara (Miki House), Hakone Ekiden Seventh Stage winner Hazuma Hattori of Hakone champion Toyo University and last month's Fukuoka International Marathon winner Martin Mathathi (Suzuki Hamamatsu AC) top the domestic list for the men's race.

This year's race is a selection event for the men's team for March's World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen, meaning many top corporate team stars are also on the list. Their four overseas competitors include defending champion Collis Birmingham (Australia) and London Olympics 5000 m runner Amanuel Mesel (Eritrea).

The women's race features November's Yokohama International Women's Marathon runner-up Azusa Nojiri (Hiratsuka Lease), 2009 Tokyo Marathon runner-up Yukari Sahaku (Team Univ. Ent.) and, from overseas, London Olympics marathon 7th-placer Jessica Augusto (Portugal).

A total of 11,705 people are entered in the half marathon, 3 km and 1 km divisions, with 10,577 entered in the half. Although the application deadline has passed, entries will also be accepted the day before the race.

Final numbers are expected to be similar to last year's 12,810 entrants.

translated and edited by Brett Larner – Japan Running News

https://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/etc/news/20140114-OHT1T00116.htm
https://sankei.jp.msn.com/region/news/140115/kgw14011502170000-n1.htm

complete elite field listing coming shortly

author: admin