Nagoya Women's Marathon

Sad to see Takahashi, someone who really has made a mark in marathoning history, fade so badly... I will be, however, she will finish the race. I can see her talking, after the race, that she didn't want to drop out to disappoint her fans...something like that.

That's "Yamauchi" ;o)

It looks like it will be an all Japanese affair...the lead pack is starting to thin out...maybe down to 18.

Hara looks good.

Just watched the press conference video of Sakamoto. I wouldn't bet my money on her--she does not look lean like she did for Athens.

Thanks up tick nobby

Yuza:

Can you see if Hara is getting to the lead?

20k in 1:10:48. 5 runners, including Hara and Hiroyama, are a step ahead of now down to a total of 17 (including those 5). Shimahara, Sakamoto, Oshima, Ominami are all there.

There on pace to run just under 2hrs 30mins.

They bunched back up...

They are going around the castle now. Traditionally, when they turn around and come back and go around the castle for the second time; that's when the race moves.

Takahashi is still hanging in there at the 33rd place, passing 20k in 1:14:48.

Half way in 1:14:43.

Hara is fine...she is in third, tucked in behind Sakamoto.

Kano looks good too.

Coach Kawagoe knows what he's doing. Kano is very strong... I will be Hara will (try to) take off before 30k. Shimahara is very strong in the last 5k but if she can't react quickly enough, Hara might take it. I don't think Sakamoto has the explosive speed like she displayed at Osaka to secure her spot for Athens 4 years ago. She should be happy if she finishes top 6. This field is loaded.

25k in 1:28:23 with Hirata, Hiroyama, Hara and others leading. 2 fell back and now a group of 15.

They all look really relaxed...Hara har just made a small break...picked up the pace and Ooshima has been dropped.

Oshima dropped out!? That's too bad... Sometimes a slow pace may hurt some runners--just as it did to Shibui a few years back (I think it was Olympic Trial as well). I heard Hara tried to break away but others didn't let her???

Hi Nobby. Thanks for doing this. Sorry about Q-Chan. Hope you're having a swell time with Snell. I am suspicious they are not going to greak 2:25. What was the name of the runner on the bubble from Osaka?

Hey Nobby who is 103?

She will not win, but I am curious...Ooshima is back in the pack...Shimohara has been dropped.

Hara is a very determined runner. But sometimes determination alone would not work. I thought she would hang on till closer to 30k. Did she actually make a sizable break or was it just a tease...???