Yuka Ando runs down Asian Games gold medalist Eunice Chumba to win Nagoya Women's Marathon: japanrunningnews.blogspot.com/2024/03/yuka-a…

Top 25 results and DNFs from Nagoya Women's Marathon: japanrunningnews.blogspot.com/2024/03/yuka-a…

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With a 2:25:45 Yuyu Xia moves up to 2nd-fastest of the 4 Chinese women who've broken the Paris standard so far, knocking Li Bai down to 4th. 3rd-fastest woman Zhixuan Li, 2:26:28 in Nagoya last year, was 11th in 2:28:49 today.

So with this the Paris Olympics Japanese women's marathon team is Yuka Suzuki, Mao Ichiyama and Honami Maeda, joining men's team Naoki Koyama, Akira Akasaki and Suguru Osako.

Ando said it was hard but knew win was in range, just kept hammering once she caught Chumba.

Ando said in 1st interview post-race, 'I may not be headed to Paris, but thank you to everyone who supported me today. I'm happy.'

JPN women originally had to run 2:21:41 for 3rd spot on Paris team before Honami Maeda raised bar to 2:18:58 in January. Both Ando and Suzuki beat original target.

Ando has a couple of strides on Chumba coming in to stadium.

Ando goes ahead!

Suzuki not giving up here!

1k to go and Chumba throws in a tiny surge on that corner to get a step on Ando.

Ando staying right on Chumba whichever way Chumba swerves. Now pulls up beside her w/1.5k to go,

Chumba cuts way in to get Ando off her heels but Ando right on her. Here comes 40km.

Chumba looks back to see if anyone else is coming as Ando pulls up next to her. <3k to go. Chumba doesn't let Ando go by, picks it up again, but Ando answers. Suzuki isn't that far back either. Chumba surges again, gets a stride on Ando.

Suzuki passes Kaseda for 3rd. PB in reach for both. Leader Chumba looks back for first time to see Ando right behind her at 39km.