East African Dominance At The Fukuoka Marathon
- By Duncan Larkin
- Published Dec. 5, 2011
- Updated Dec. 5, 2011 at 1:21 PM UTC
The first Japanese runner was third.
Josphat Ndambiri was the first runner to break the tape at this year's Fukuoka Marathon on Sunday. Photo: Yahoo Sport
Though the race may be one of Japan’s most famous races, it was a Kenyan affair at the Fukuoka Marathon on Sunday.
Josphat Ndambiri dominated the race, his debut marathon, to win in two hours, seven minutes, and 36 seconds. The 26-year-old, who has been based in Japan for over a decade, held off fellow Kenyan and Japanese resident James Mwangi who came in second in 2:08:38.
Japan’s “blue collar” runner, Yuki Kawauichi, came in third in 2:09:57.
“I pulled ahead as I saw nobody coming up front,” Ndambiri said, referencing his surge after 25K when the pacemakers pulled out. “I guess the time is good for my first marathon….I don’t know where I should pick up my pace or restrain myself. I will try to correct it in my next marathon.” Ndambiri will next run the Paris or Rotterdam Marathon. This year’s Fukuoka Marathon was used by Japan for the Olympic Trials race. Kenya has one of the toughest teams to qualify for in the world. “It will be tough to be selected for the Olympics but I believe I can go if I work hard,” admitted Ndambiri.
For More: The Times of India
FILED UNDER: News TAGS: blue-collar runners / Fukuoka Marathon / historical races / james Mwangi / Japanese Runners / Josphat Ndambiri / Olympic Trials / Yuki Kawauchi
Duncan Larkin
Duncan Larkin is the news editor at Competitor.com and a freelance journalist who’s been covering the sport of running for over five years. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. His first running book, RUN SIMPLE, was released last July.