TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

TFS to Expand Writing Staff and Internship Program

Whether you are a seasoned veteran, an aspiring journalist, or even just a knowledgeable fan looking for a profitable hobby, we want to hear from you! Click here to apply today!

Ozaki Earns Victory at 30th & Final Tokyo International Women’s Marathon

Posted November 17th, 2008 at 11:55 AM by Ken Nakamura

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Tokyo International Women's Marathon logo 2008 Overhauling the pre-race favorite Yoko Shibui in the 39th kilometer on the steepest part of the hill, Yoshimi Ozaki won the 30th and final edition of the Tokyo Women’s International Marathon. Her winning time, 2:23:30, was the third-fastest time recorded here over this challenging course which has hosted some of history’s greatest women’s marathoners since its inception in 1979, five years before the women’s marathon would make it’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles. For Ozaki, running in only her second marathon, it was her first victory at this classic distance.

“I am surprised with my win, but I am happy to be the winner of the final edition of this historic race,” said the 27 year-old Ozaki. “I did not think I was going to win, but I did not want to give up.”

Ozaki did not realize she could win until she reached 40 km, after passing both Yuri Kano and Yoko Shibui over the hill.

“Because my training was not consistent, it took a lot of time for me to develop to a good runner,” she said. “However, my coach always said that my best distance was a marathon.”

There were no official pacemakers in this year’s race, but Yoko Shibui ended up taking on that role, pushing the early pace. She sizzled through 10 km in 32:55, leaving both Ozaki and Kano 12 seconds back.

“I knew Shibui was going to push the pace,” said Kano after the race. She added: “Nearing 10 km I realize it is bit fast, so I held back thinking I can overtake her after 30 km.”

Kenyan Magdeline Chemjor was the only woman still with Shibui through 10 km, but the pace was much too fast for her. She would fade badly after just 12 km to finish 14th in 2:46:18.

By half way (1:10:07) Shibui held a commanding lead with Kano 36 seconds behind, with Ozaki another 25 seconds off of the pace. Mara Yamauchi, the Japan-based Briton, was another 20 seconds back.

“The lead pack was going too fast, I thought,” said Yamauchi who finished sixth in the Beijing Olympic Games. “I was sure they were going to come back to me.”

At least Shibui did. Her pace was slowing significantly, taking her 17 minutes and 44 seconds to cover the 5 km from 30 km to 35 km. That opened the door for Ozaki, who had survived a bad patch earlier in the race.

“When I passed other runners, I zipped by them,” said Ozaki. “But I was bit scared that they much tag along just behind me.”

Her fears were never realized, as she romped to nearly a one-minute victory over Kano who held on for second and was satisfied with her performance.

“In the future, I want to run a big marathon with world’s best runners in the field and let people know that I can run with anybody in the world,” said Kano who expressed some of the frustration Japanese runners feel because they are essentially mandated to run in home country races by their corporate team managers.

Yamauchi passed Shibui to take third, breaking her personal best by seven seconds.

“I’ll shoot for 2:24 marathon next time,” concluded Yamauchi.

NOTE: To see a complete list of this race’s winners click here: http://www.arrs.net/HP_TkWMa.htm –Ed.

WOMEN -
1. Yoshimi Ozaki, Daiichi Seimei 2:23:30 PB
2. Yuri Kano, Second Wind AC 2:24:27 PB
3. Mara Yamauchi, GBR 2:25:03 PB
4. Yoko Shibui, JPN 2:25:51
5. Salina Kosgei, KEN 2:30:34
6. Svetlana Zakharova, RUS 2:30:42
7. Yukiko Matsubara, JPN 2:34:39
8. Ayumi Hayashi, JPN 2:35:04
9. Derartu Tulu, ETH 2:36:47
10. Chihiro Tanaka, JPN 2:37:03
11. Yuka Aikawa, JPN 2:40:43
12. Maki Kono, JPN 2:40:54
13. Yoshiko Watanabe, JPN 2:41:34
14. Magdaline Chemjor, KEN 2:46:18
15. Yumiko Daigo, JPN 2:48:04
16. Fumie Tsuru, JPN 2:48:12
17. Yumiko Minato, JPN 2:48:20
18. Shigeko Yanagita, JPN 2:48:40
19. Yukie Tamura, JPN 2:48:47
20. Makiko Shimamura, JPN 2:49:21

5 km Splits for Top Finishers:
1. Ozaki: 16:23, 33:07, 50:03, 1:07:17, 1:24:47, 1:41:53, 1:59:03, 2:16:17
2. Kano: 16:23, 33:07, 50:03, 1:06:59, 1:23:59, 1:41:14, 1:58:46, 2:16:43
3. Yamauchi: 16:39, 33:35, 50:40, 1:07:42, 1:24:47, 1:41:53,1:59:09, 2:17:29
4. Shibui: 16:22, 32:55, 49:40, 1:06:26, 1:23:15, 1:40:21, 1:58:05, 2:17:07