AUTUMN 2007 - Serpentine

RACE REPORT
SERPENTINE RUNNING CLUB
Haile Gebrselassie makes his move at 35km
(photo: Urban Bettag)
and shorter distances. I observed that the Japanese runners are
not the most flexible, though they stretch for quite an unusually
long time after training!
A trip to one of the running shops was very educational too.
Art Sport just opposite Okachimachi station is the place to go.
The Japanese love their racing flats, no Asics Gel Kayanos or
other heavy running shoes with support could be spotted in the
shop, but a wide range of Asics, New Balance and Mizuno racing
flats. Japanese runners also like to use Phiten tape
as well something I have not seen before in any other race
I took part. The purpose of the tape (disc form) is to release
pressure points and heat. Paula Radcliffe has been spotted
wearing a necklace of the same brand. The science behind it is a
bit questionable, though it seems to work for some.
The Fukuoka Marathon is one of those rare events which is still a
men only event. The corresponding marathon for women only is
the Tokyo International Marathon.
The course itself is a loop course with start and finish at the track.
Most high profile events in Japan are like that and have a
Konichiwa Serpie san!
by Urban Bettag
After having run marathons in Europe and the US I thought it’s
time to venture east and head to Japan, the land of the rising sun.
As everybody knows Japan produces some exceptional marathon
runners and the country has done well in the World
Championships and in particular in the Olympics. In Japan elite
athletes such as Mizuki Noguchi, Naoko Takahashi or Toshihiko
Seko are considered celebrities.
Amongst many marathons in Japan, Fukuoka clearly stands out.
The Fukuoka marathon used to be before the arrival of the IAAF
world championships the No 1 marathon in the world in terms of
strength and depth of elite runners. Together with Boston and
New York it was considered the “triple crown” of marathon
running. Only one runner in history so far managed to win all
three races, Bill Rodgers (1977). Ron Hill and many other British
runners have tried to win the race as well, but only Bill Adcocks
(1968) managed to do so. The race is sponsored by one of the
biggest newspapers in Japan and still attracts many top runners
from around the world, though only a very small fine selection gets
invited by the organisers and a strict qualification time is required
for participation.
Most recently Fukuoka has experienced a boom in terms of
running. The 2006 World XC championships were staged in
Fukuoka and the modern city situated on the northern shore of
Kyushu island has ambitious plans for the future. Fukuoka is
currently bidding for the 2016 Olympics.
Before the race I stayed a couple of days in Tokyo and ran the
5km loop around the Emperor’s Palace where most of the runners
train. I noticed many run very slowly and prefer to run in a track
suit. Most of them were wearing white gloves too. Classic
Japanese running school! The Japanese training system is based
around: discipline, dedication, high volume aerobic running and
precise pacing. There is only very little emphasis on speed work
trademark 360 degree turn around point. However, the “B”
standard (sub 2:45h) does not have the privilege to start with the
“A” group (sub 2:27h) at the track and have to start outside at the
lake. Running on the path around the lake felt like a track with
perfect surface like Mondo. It’s also worth noting that the ratio
between athletes and support staff was possibly 1 to 10!
Start of the 60th Fukuoka Marathon. No 23
Atsushi Fujita, course record holder 2:06:51
(photo: Urban Bettag)
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