28 FEBRUARY 2010: TOKYO MARATHON, JAPAN

The fourth edition was run in dismal conditions with winners Masakazu Fujiwara and Alevtina Biktimirova giving up on the hope of fast times writes Ken Nakamura. Fujiwara in particlar, was happy to become the first Japanese male runner to win here.

Biktimirova had harboured hopes of a personal best: "that's why I went out fast, but because of the weather I had to give up that goal." Cold rain and wind worsened as the race progressed, and the temperature, 7°C at the start, dropped. Arata Fujiwara, who was second in the men's race in 2008 finished second again, outkicking one of the pre-race favoutites Atsushi Sato.

The first 5km, mostly downhill, was covered in a modest 15:11. From 15-30km the 5km splits barely dipped below 16 minutes. Passing halfway in 1:05:13, the race turned into a one of attrition. By 27km, the lead pack still had 24 runners. Not until Salim Kipsang made a move at 31.5km did it start to break up. Fujiwara brought the chasers back to the Kipsang's shoulder, but now they were down to eight.

Fujiwara surged at 33km to open a gap on Kipsang and Sato. With the runners approaching Tokyo Bay, the wind began to pick up. Joseph Mwaniki did much of the leading before Fujiwara threw off his baseball cap and surged hard at 40km. Although he didn't look comfortable, Fujiwara continued to pull ahead of Sato and Arata Fujiwara.

A nine-stong group of women passed 5km in 17:34 and 10km in 34:56. By 15km (52:04), Bikitimirova had broken away and continued to extend her lead through the 35km. She then slowed, but was so far ahead that her victory was sealed. After losing contact with Bikitimirova, Mizuho Nasukawa, Robe Guta and Julia Mumbi formed the chasing group.

Akemi Ozaki passed all three at 25km to move into second position but was later reduced to a walk. Guta moved ahead of Olaru at 35km and finished 13 seconds ahead of her. Unheralded Maki Kono covered the 35-40km faster than anyone to take fourth.

MEN:
1  Masakazu FUJIWARA          JPN  2:12:19
2  Arata FUJIWARA                JPN  2:12:34
3  Atsushi SATO                    JPN  2:12:35
4  Yuki KAWAUCHI                JPN  2:12:36
5  Tomoya ADACHI                JPN  2:12:46
6  Joseph MWANIKI               KEN  2:12:53
7  Rachid KISRI                    MAR  2:12:59
8  Takaaki KODA                   JPN  2:13:04
9  Salim KIPSANG                  KEN  2:13:16
10 Kiyokatsu HADEGAWA        JPN  2:15:15

WOMEN:
1  Alevtina BIKTIMIROVA       RUS  2:34:39
2  Robe GUTA                      ETH  2:36:29
3  Nuta OLARU                     ROM  2:36:42
4  Maki KONO                      JPN  2:39:01
5  Yang JING                       CHN  2:41:04
6  Yumi SATO                      JPN  2:43:01
7  Wakana HANADO              JPN  2:44:03
8  Julia MOMBI                     KEN  2:45:11
9  Yoshimi KASEZAWA            JPN  2:47:03
10 Noriko HITAO                   JPN  2:47:32

 Source: AIMSworldrunning.org