The FINANCIAL — More than 14,000 female runners took part in the Nike-sponsored “Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2013.” The event also featured top athletes from home and abroad competing to qualify for upcoming international races.
The Nagoya event is the world's largest women's marathon and includes fitness runners as well as elite athletes, according to Nike.
Japanese actress Misako Yasuda, who again ran in the event as an official support runner, recorded a time of 4:13:24 (net time). Speaking after the race, she said, “I'd like to thank everyone for all their support. There were some tough times but I really enjoyed the race. The race went by so quickly but I’d like to continue running.”
The “Marathon Festival Nagoya Aichi 2013” coincided with the second anniversary of the March 11th Great East Japan Earthquake. The festival was part of the “TOMODACHI x NIKE GO GIRL PROJECT,” which brings inspiration to female collegiate athletes in Japan who experienced the earthquake and to female collegiate athletes from the U.S., by offering unique, cross-cultural exchanges through sport. The “TOMODACHI Initiative” is a public-private partnership, led by the United States Government and the U.S.-Japan Council and supported by the Japanese Government, that aids Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and invests in the next generation of Japanese and Americans in ways that strengthen cultural and economic ties and strengthens the friendship between the United States and Japan over the long-term.
The students lived and trained together for the race, deepening their friendships by working toward the same goal through the sport of running. Anna Janas, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, ran the full marathon in a time of 4:00:20. Speaking shortly after the finish, Anna said, "This was my fourth full marathon, but it was by far the most memorable. It was my first time to experience running as a group, and participating with the Japanese girls made it so special. Throughout the race, people encouraged us and cheered us on and the four hours went by so quick. It was exciting and inspiring to see all the elite runners as well. I'm already looking forward to running with the Japanese girls again in the U.S.”
Miho Yamauchi, 22, from Fukushima Prefecture, completed her first full marathon. "I’m happy to finish the race together with my new friends. Thanks to everyone around the course for all the encouragement and support, I could hang in when the going got tough. In addition to running together, I was able to do many activities with my new friends from the U.S. I would like to work together with them and practice more for the next race in the States.”
Nike continues to provide motivation and support to female athletes everywhere by building strong connections to running and offering new challenges through sport.
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