Impressive run by the 40 year old Mongolian master who had spent several years in England prior to moving to Japan. Training in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, with temperatures of -30 C is not really a good option.
I debated posting this knowing no one, but you and I, would care. The guy is a great racer.
I thought Bat Ochir had announced his retirement? Anyway this is a great run and I’m glad to see he’s still going! Aren’t there one or two other Mongolian runners coming up?
Disko Eric wrote:
I debated posting this knowing no one, but you and I, would care. The guy is a great racer.
We care because I’ve heard from different sources that this Mongolian guy is living a somewhat difficult life in Japan having to do odd jobs to survive. He’s certainly not living in luxury.
Keep the disco going Erik....
Ghost1 wrote:
Disko Eric wrote:
I debated posting this knowing no one, but you and I, would care. The guy is a great racer.
We care because I’ve heard from different sources that this Mongolian guy is living a somewhat difficult life in Japan having to do odd jobs to survive. He’s certainly not living in luxury.
Keep the disco going Erik....
You two are not the only ones who care. Maybe he can make some money in masters races and get better circumstances.
Two Kawauchi brothers showed up, 12th and 32nd. So sad that this is the end.
Why the hate on them? Yuri had been injured for some time. 2:11/12 is a solid rebound. Can you run 2:11/12?
OXYRUNR wrote:
Why the hate on them? Yuri had been injured for some time. 2:11/12 is a solid rebound. Can you run 2:11/12?
Hating them? Huh? What are you thinking?
OXYRUNR wrote:
Why the hate on them? Yuri had been injured for some time. 2:11/12 is a solid rebound. Can you run 2:11/12?
I think HRE is sad that it’s the end of the Fukuoka Marathon. Don’t think this was a knock on Yuki.
I was amazed by Yuki’s time so soon after his injury. Assumed he was going to have to DNS. Incredible recovery time.
king kimetto wrote:
OXYRUNR wrote:
Why the hate on them? Yuri had been injured for some time. 2:11/12 is a solid rebound. Can you run 2:11/12?
I think HRE is sad that it’s the end of the Fukuoka Marathon. Don’t think this was a knock on Yuki.
I was amazed by Yuki’s time so soon after his injury. Assumed he was going to have to DNS. Incredible recovery time.
Oh, yeah, I see. The "sad" thing was about the end of Fukuoka. Thanks.
It is a sad ending to a historical race. But the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the organisers. A few small changes, like having a women's race and sub-elites would not have harmed the character of the race. They were stubborn and paid the price.
It is indeed sad that this is the end of this marathon and it boggles the mind that wealthy Japanese sponsors could not save this race in the future, absolutely mind-boggling. I’m sure that there are financial institutions in Japan that could save this race and perpetuate it on a yearly basis. Can you imagine having the Boston marathon ended because of some financial difficulties or other issues? Very unlikely or impossible to happen. Fukuoka is by far the most iconic and symbolic marathon which epitomizes Japanese marathon running in history. It makes no sense to delete this event, no sense at all. Maybe I’m missing something?
Yuki was the oldest runner in the top 12 at 34 years of age. Most of the runners in the top 12, today, were aged around 27 -28 years of age. There was only one sub 28 minute 10,000 m runner in the top 12 and this was the Kenyan who didn’t even win the race.
I met Ser-Od years ago in UB when he spoke at a charity event in the city. The guy is a national hero, extremely down to earth, and is inspiring a generation of Mongolian marathoners. The National Park right next to the city center with the 2.8k, winding track surface has to be one of the most unknown but incredible places to train in summer. Unfortunately, UB is both the coldest and the most polluted capital city in the world. I wouldn't risk the lung damage of running outside past October. I wish there was more info out there to tell this guy's incredible story!
If you have 20,000 people paying $250 to enter your race you're going to have a lot less chance of financial difficulties than if your race has a hundred or so entrants with many of them paying nothing. But this has been such a great race and marathons are so popular in Japan I have to think a TV network or some big corporation or bank would pick up the costs. But evidently I am wrong.
I agree. Whilst it changes the 'integrity' of the race, give it a decent qualifying time, say sub 3:00 for men. Many people would pay to run in such an historical race, thus saving it from extinction.