I maintain that running culture includes more than the marathon. Otherwise this site would be called letsmarathon.com.
Even if you want to limit the discussion to just the marathon, the US has more runners with podium finishes at World Marathon Majors in the last 12 years than Japan:
Japan, 9 (4 men + 5 women): Yuki Kawauchi, Yuta Shi*ara, Arata Fujiwara, Suguru Osako, Tomo Morimoto, Yukiko Akaba, Noriko Highchi, Yoko Shibui, and Kayoko Fukushi
USA, 12 (4 men + 8 women): Galen Rupp, Meb Keflezighi, Shadrack Biwott, Abdi Abdirahman, Shalane Flanagan, Desiree Linden, Sara Hall, Jordan Hasay, Sarah Sellers, Amy Cragg, Emma Bates, and Molly Huddle
And if you look at the last two Olympics, it’s USA 2, Japan 0.
That’s fair, but the US “running culture” ,as far as there is one, is based around sprints.
The WMM is somewhat a good comparison, but to be fair three of them are in the US and US pros are almost always completely focused on those. NY and Boston are slower and better suited to have slower Americans placing.
The interesting thing is all 6 Majors are represented in that American podium count. Our success has not been limited to the marathons in the US.
Um, Rupp's medal was 6 years ago, not 8. And he just finished second in the Chicago marathon 5 months ago. I didn't see any Japanese runners on the podium at that race.
Maybe it’s because the Japanese couldn’t get into America at that time?
Kengo Suzuki of Japan ran that race. He finished in 4th place, over 2 minutes behind Galen Rupp.
How many Olympic and World Championship medals have Japanese runners won this century in the 1500 through marathon? How does that number compare to the US medal count?
Someone just got butthurt.
LOL, way to resort to a juvenile response when you have nothing substantial to add to the conversation and you’ve been presented with an important consideration that makes your stance crumble to pieces. Such desperation shows that you have been soundly defeated.
I hope he does New York this fall and then Boston Spring 2023. Seems like an appropriately spaced out racing schedule for him based on how he has been running about two races a year for the past few years. Then he'll be 38 and can decide if he wants to retire with all 6 major wins or if he wants to go for another Olympic gold at 39.
Berlin fall. He still has a crazier time in him.
Boston Spring, New York fall 2023, Paris summer
Yeah, you and El Keniano are probably right about Berlin or London again. Today Kipchoge showed that he's right around that 2:01:40 form. I think that wrong turn really cost them a lot of time, not just in the moment but in losing the rhythm causing a slowdown that lasted for a while. He has probably known for a while that he can break the world record again and will want to do it on a fast course with less wind than there was in Tokyo.
As someone who currently lives in the northeast I'm just selfishly hoping that he'll also be able to prioritize coming to Boston and New York so I can see him race in person before he retires.
There were rumours of EK running the World Championships in Eugene, but I think your prediction of ny this fall and Boston in spring is likely correct. Then, one last push for an unprecedented 3rd marathon gold.
LOL, way to resort to a juvenile response when you have nothing substantial to add to the conversation and you’ve been presented with an important consideration that makes your stance crumble to pieces. Such desperation shows that you have been soundly defeated.
Facts are that Japan is much better than America in men´s marathoning right now no matter how much BS you write. Trying to sound intelligent the way you do is something we others did in high school. You´re so called "argument" is not exactly a masterpiece of intellectual brilliance.
Yeah, you and El Keniano are probably right about Berlin or London again. Today Kipchoge showed that he's right around that 2:01:40 form. I think that wrong turn really cost them a lot of time, not just in the moment but in losing the rhythm causing a slowdown that lasted for a while. He has probably known for a while that he can break the world record again and will want to do it on a fast course with less wind than there was in Tokyo.
As someone who currently lives in the northeast I'm just selfishly hoping that he'll also be able to prioritize coming to Boston and New York so I can see him race in person before he retires.
Surely a trip to Valencia wouldn't be awful. Expect the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation moneybags to factor into mix, possibly putting together a "marathon of the century" with Kipchoge, Bekele, Kandie, Kiplimo (debut) and the usual sub-2:05 suspects.
It should be pointed out that Shura Kitata ran a great race too. Dropped pretty early, he ran the marathon by himself and came in with a respectable 2:06. Pretty admirable.
It should be pointed out that Shura Kitata ran a great race too. Dropped pretty early, he ran the marathon by himself and came in with a respectable 2:06. Pretty admirable.
Finish 5th isn't too bad but he still doesn't look right. I don't think he has fully recovered.
Surely nobody expected him to run that B level American marathon?
I hope he sods Boston and runs NYC next, then Comrades.
Interesting his only American marathon was when he was trying to make a name for himself. London and Berlin got him at his peak. Boston and New York might get him at the tail end with retirement in sight. Something for American organisers to think about.