The marathon race around lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture started under clear skies after noon. Lee Troop of Australia was the pacemaker and pulled the large group through 10km in just under 30:00. He then dropped out after the 15km mark that was just over 45 min. At this point there were approximately 30 runners in the lead pack. A few had dropped back at the half way point, but for the most part stayed intact. Turning into a head wind of 6 m/s the runners began to feel the strong first 1/2 pace and at 25 km, the leaders surged and the pack of about 20 broke up.
Brazilian Marathon Bronze medalist, De Lima was struggling in about 15th and in this, his sixth marathon in Japan (3 under 2:10) looked determined to finish no matter his time. Due to engagements after his Olympic performance, the runner hadn't begun his training for Biwako until November. He stopped 2 times, because of an apparent side-stitch, but pressed forward. Finally, at just before the 33 km mark, De Lima dropped out of the race.
At the 30km mark, the lead group had dwindled to 3 runners. Rios, J.Leilei, and Hosokawa. Yuko Matsumiya, whose twin brother just set the 30km world record last weekend, followed non-invited Okutani about 15 seconds back. From about 25km until the finish, Rios would continually look over his shoulder at the following pack. At 33 km, Hosokawa took over the lead briefly, but Leilei would lead most of the final 10km. Before entering the stadium, Leilei apparently confused, began to head towards the left hand side of the entrance, while the course headed to the right and clockwise around the track. He lost about 3 seconds, but maintained the lead as organizers got him back on the course. They circled the track nearly twice and Leilei slowly stretched his leading margin slightly to the finish.
Unofficial results:
1) J. Lelei (sp?)(adidas, Kenya) 2:09:00
2) J. Rios (adidas, Spain) 2:09:03
3) Hosokawa (Otsuka Seiyaku) 2:09:10
4) Okutani 2:09:13
5) Matsumiya (Konica-Minolta 2:09:18
6) Kateyama (NTT West) 2:10:09
7) Fukunaga (Nagasaki) 2:10:11
8) Pertiella (sp?)(Italy) 2:11:12
9) Shinichi Watanabe 2:12:15
10) Fujita (Fujitsu) 2:12:30
Though hoping for the win, Fujita was running his first full marathon in 3 years. He had set the Japanese record in Fukuoka.
Lelei on his victory, "After the pace settled in the first 1/2 mile, the pacemaker took control and did a very good job. However, before 15 km, the pace was slowing and when the pacemaker dropped out, we had to make the pace ourselves. After the 1/2 way mark, it became very windy so we could not run so fast. I am very happy to have one running against the strong Japanese runners. Winning the title for the Kenyans makes me feel good."
Hosokawa on being the top Japanese and running under the 2:09:30 World Champs qualifying standard for the Japanese team, "I didn't think much about the time, but I knew that I had a chance at it. I am very happy to have accomplished it. From the 30km mark on, I was having some stomach pain. My legs felt like they had something left, but I was worried about the runners coming up from behind. I tried to keep the gap up and have a good race. I tried not to think about being the top Japanese runner, but to just hang on with the other runners (Rios and Lelei).