Kawauchi Wins Saitama 1500 m Championship Title – translated by Brett Larner – Japan Running News

2014 Incheon Asian Games marathon team member Yuki Kawauchi (27, Saitama Pref. Gov't) ran the 1500 m at this weekend's Saitama Prefecture Track and Field Championships at Kumagaya Sports Park Field. 

Running both the semifinal and final on June 29, Kawauchi placed 1st in the semis in 3:55.18 before winning the final in 3:56.48 to happily claim his first prefectural title.

Kawauchi fell short of his PB of 3:50.51, but, he said with a smile, "I'm really, really happy to win the title.  It was important to me to win, and everything went according to plan.  Marathon runners don't have to just run the marathon!" 

Next weekend Kawauchi runs Australia's Gold Coast Airport Marathon in defense of his win there last year.

Translator's note: In his last race two weeks ago Kawauchi set the 50 km national record of 2:47:27.

translated by Brett Larner – Japan Running News

 https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2014/06/29/kiji/K20140629008469110.html