Noguchi running in the 2002 Nagoya Marathon (© Rikujyo Kyogi Magazine)
SapporoJapanMekubo Mogusu, a junior at Yamanashi Gakuin University and Kenya, won the 50th annual Sapporo Half Marathon on Sunday (8) in 59:54, thus demolishing the previous course record of 1:01:11 (2002).
Despite the warm weather Mogusu set an extremely fast pace from the start, passing 5Km in incredible 13:50. He steadily slowed-down as the race progressed, but he bravely held on to break the one-hour half marathon barrier for the first time in Sapporo. Mogusu, however, failed to break the Japanese all-comers record for the half marathon, 59:43, which held by Samuel Wanjiru, and was recorded in the 2005 Sendai Half Marathon.
The reigning Olympic Marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi won the women’s division in 1:08:22. It was her second consecutive Sapporo Half Marathon victory but her winning time was eight seconds short of her course record set last year. Noguchi had to come from behind and pass Evelyne Kimwei of Kenya, who set an extremely fast pace from the start.
Men’s race
A lead pack mostly consisting of African runners who run for Japanese Corporate sponsored track teams, formed immediately after the start. Because of the fast early pace, the pack started to dwindle in size and by the time the leaders passed the 5Km check point, the pack was reduced to five in number.
Led by Mogusu the leaders passed 5Km in 13:50.
“It is good weather for July, but I think they are going too fast,” said Hiromi Taniguchi, 1991 World Marathon Champion, who was commentating for television.
Soon the front pack was completely broken apart. Mogusu led Assefa Girma and Atsushi Sato away in front. Mogusu passed 10Km in 27:43 (13:53), while Girma and Sato were by then 26 seconds behind. Mogusu continued to push the pace and passed 15Km in 42:06 (14:23), followed by Girma and Sato who were then a minute and two seconds behind. The eventual winner continued to run unchallenged, passing 20K in 56:50 (14:44) and finished in 59:54.
Girma (1:01:31) and Sato (1:01:38) finished next.
Women’s race
Evelyne Kimwei of Kenya took off quickly from the start and had a lead of around 50m over Olympic Marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi at 3Km.
Kimwei passed 5Km in 15:17 followed by Noguchi and Britain’s Mara Yamauchi 17 seconds later. She continued to push the pace, passing 10Km in 31:18 (16:01) with Noguchi 19 seconds behind.
However, as Kimwei started to slow down, Noguchi gained on her and at 13.1Km Noguchi finally caught her and 200m later, left Kimwei behind.
Noguchi passed 15Km in 47:56 (16:38) and 20Km in 1:04:48 (16:52). Yamauchi, who was 12 seconds behind the leader at 15Km, was 24 seconds behind at 20Km.
Noguchi won in 1:08:22, followed by Yamauchi in second in 1:08:45 and Kimwei third in 1:09:32.
After the race, Noguchi said, “I knew Kimwei was way ahead of me but I wanted to run at my own pace in the beginning. After passing 10Km, I could see Kimwei ahead of me, so I was determined to catch up.”
Ken Nakamura for the IAAF
Results:
Men
1) Mekubo Mogusu (KEN) 59:54
2) Asefa Girma (ETH) 1:01:31
3) Atsushi Sato 1:01:38
4) Kiprono Mutai (KEN) 1:02:30
5) Tetsuo Nishimura 1:02:33
6) Atsushi Fujita 1:02:39
7) Augustine Ndirang (KEN) 1:-02:41
8) Ombeche Mokamba (KEN) 1:02:44
9) Kazuki Ikenaga 1:02:50
10) Tsuyoshi Ugachi 1:02:54
Women
1) Mizuki Noguchi 1:08:22
2) Mara Yamauchi (GBR) 1:08:45
3) Evelyne Kimwei (KEN) 1:09:32
4) Julia Mombi (KEN) 1:10:13
5) Chitose Odsaki 1:10:34
6) Hiromi Ominami 1:10:41
7) Kiragu Pauline Wanguru (KEN) 1:11:32
8) Yurika Nakamura 1:10:40
9) Yui Sakai 1:11:45
10) Catherine Ndereba (KEN) 1:11:51
11) Yuri Kano 1:12:03
12) Kiyoko Shimahara 1:12:08
13) Yoko Yagi 1:12:41
14) Mika Hikichi 1:12:46
15) Kazue Ogoshi 1:12:58
Splits for Noguchi:
5Km 15:34
10Km 31:37 (16:03)
15Km 47:56 (16:19)
20Km 1:04:48 (16:52)
Finish 1:08:22 (3:34)
