Namban International Ladies Marathon

What a nice day for a race in mid November, even a little too hot. So much better than last year.

I was positioned at 5K and 37K, not far from Iidabashi station.

I saw the leaders running strong in 16:30 for the first 5K. Noguchi san leading a group of 6, with Shibui san and Kosgei. Just behind and running strong I saw 5 Namban ladies in black or yellow singlets. It was quite hot at noon.

After a pause at home, I came back to cheer on our runners at 37K just below the infamous Yotsuya hill. Noguchi san was 50 meters ahead of the Kenyan Kosgei, and Shibui back 200 meters. But it was before the hill.

Then I saw Yoshiko very strong, Rie very focused, Mika quite relaxed, Yuri or Kuri (not sure) concentrated and Satohi doing well. All of them running at twice my own marathon speed :-)). I'm very impressed by their performance.

Congratulations to all.