Kentaro Nakamoto, one of Japan’s most reliable marathon runners in recent times, will face last year’s winner Abraham Kiplimo at the Beppu-Oita Marathon, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, on 1 February.

Five of the top seven finishers from last year’s Fukuoka International Marathon - Martin Mathathi, Joseph Gitau, Henryk Szost, Chiharu Takada and Mekubo Mogusu – will be back on the start line of the IAAF Gold Label Road Race but much of the attention will also be on former world record holder Patrick Makau on Sunday (7).

Kenya’s Martin Mathathi will defend his Fukuoka Marathon title on Sunday 7 December but a lot of eyes will be on the performance of his compatriot and former marathon world record-holder Patrick Makau following the announcement of the elite field for the IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

As advertised beforehand, the 62nd Beppu-Oita Marathon turned into a thrilling battle between Yuki Kawauchi and Kentaro Nakamoto, with the pair engaged in a enthralling head-to-head duel over the second half of the race on Sunday (3).

The 62nd annual Beppu-Oita Marathon (also known as Betsudai Marathon) will be staged on Sunday (3) and can boast of a proud history as the third oldest marathon in Japan, after Lake Biwa Marathon and Fukuoka Marathon.

Yuki Kawauchi, the most prolific top-level marathon runner in Japan and perhaps the world, will be on the start line of the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon – an IAAF Silver Label Road Race – on 3 February.