Japanese “Blue Collar” Runner Keeps On Marathoning
- By News
- Published Dec. 16, 2011
- Updated Dec. 16, 2011 at 11:48 AM UTC
He wants to be an example for all amateurs.
One of Japan’s running underdogs, Yuki Kawauichi, is a force to be reckoned with. In an interview with Japan Running News, the third-place finisher at the Fukuoka Marathon earlier this month says that he will be taking on the 26.2-mile distance again–very soon.
“I’m still sore,” he says of his condition. “My thighs and whatnot are still stiff and inflexible.”
Kawauchi is a “citizen runner,” which means he holds down a five-day-a-week job while training for the marathon. In other words, he’s not a pro. But earlier this year he ran 2:08:37 at the Tokyo Marathon, finishing third.
He said he is running the marathon this weekend for the love of the sport. “Without that I get bored,” he admitted. “I feel that I have to do this at least once a month,” he says.
With just two weeks separating marathons, the shortest span in his career, Kawauchi says he has people telling him that he is doing too much.
Self-coached, Kawauchi is the stereotypical amateur. “Since I’ve been able to come this far I hope it shows other amateurs the possibilities for what they can do,” he says. ”I think I have been inspiring others to work harder.”
For More: Japan Running News
FILED UNDER: News TAGS: amateur runners / blue collar runner / citizen runner / Fukuoka Marathon / Japanese Olympic team / Japanese Runners / Yuki Kawauchi
