• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home World Marathon Majors

Boston Marathon Champion Yuki Kawauchi and Olympian Suguru Osako Join 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Field

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
June 20, 2018
0
0 0
0
SHARES
7
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Kawauchi_YukiFH1c-BostonMar18.jpgYuki Kawauchi winning 2018 BAA Boston Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net

The Boston Marathon in 2018 was one for the ages. The Weather Channel will show the pictures of marathoners being pushed along the course, and raging rains and winds that pummelled the marathoners for the entire duration of the race. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that Yuki Kawauchi is joining the field of the 2018 B of A Chicago Marathon, along with Mo Farah, Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay. Exciting field in Chicago and, if they have good weather, could result in some very fast races!

RelatedPosts

Sifan Hassan to compete at the TCS Sydney Marathon 2025

The 51rst NYC Marathon Rewind, Chapter #7: Rod Dixon speaks about the 40th anniversary of his historic New York Marathon (RunBlogRun Archives)

Will a win -or anything else- matter for Eliud Kipchoge at the 2023 Berlin Marathon?


Boston Marathon Champion Yuki Kawauchi and Olympian Suguru Osako Join 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Elite Field
Suguru chasing Japanese national record and 100-million-yen bonus

Chicago – The Bank of America Chicago Marathon announced today that reigning Boston Marathon champion and “citizen runner” Yuki Kawauchi and 2016 Olympian and Nike Oregon Project runner Suguru Osako will join the elite competition as they both seek to become the first Chicago Marathon champion from Japan since Toshihiko Seko took the crown in 1986.

“Yuki and Suguru are exciting additions to our elite field,” said Executive Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon Carey Pinkowski. “Yuki has taken an unconventional path to marathon stardom; there’s no other elite runner competing today like him. And Suguru is young in his marathon career with a real chance at breaking the Japanese national record in Chicago.”

Before becoming the 2018 Boston Marathon champion amidst freezing temperatures and pouring rain (where he said, “for me, these are the best conditions possible”), Kawauchi gained global renown for his prolific racing schedule. He holds the record for the most marathons run under 2:20 (79), he boasts a PR of 2:08:14, he has won more than 30 career marathons and he finished 12 marathons in 2017 alone. He has raced more than 20 times in 2018, including running the Kuki Half Marathon dressed in a panda suit and setting a course record at the Yatsugatake Nobeyama 71K ultramarathon in May (he won by 30 minutes). Kawauchi, often referred to as a “citizen runner,” “rebel government clerk” and “emperor of pain,” fits his training and racing in around his full-time job as a government employee, bucking a national trend where most elite runners compete full time on corporate teams. To track Kawauchi’s racing schedule, Brett Larner of Japan Running News dedicates a page of his blog to Kawauchi called “The Kawauchi Counter.”

Kawauchi thundered onto the global stage when he placed third at the 2011 Tokyo Marathon. He explained his marathon tactics in a post-race interview this way: “Every time I run, it’s with the mindset that if I die at this race, it’s ok.”

Compatriot Suguru Osako, based in Portland, OR., will be joining Kawauchi in Grant Park on October 7. Osako is a 2016 Olympian and the Japanese record holder in the 3000m and 5000m. He competed in the 5000m and 10,000m in Rio after winning both events at Japan’s national championships. He made his marathon debut at the 2017 Boston Marathon, landing on the podium in third in 2:10:28. At the time, he was the first Japanese man to finish among the top three since Seko won Boston in 1987. He closed out 2017 with an impressive personal best and third place finish at the Fukuoka Marathon, 2:07:19.

Osako hopes to secure an additional bonus in Chicago by breaking the Japanese national record (2:06:11). If he manages that feat, the Japanese Corporate Track and Field Federation will pay him a 100-million-yen bonus (nearly one million U.S. dollars).

“I want to try to break the national record, but the most important thing to me is to be competitive with the other runners,” said Osako. “I’m really excited and proud to run with Mo and Galen. I’m going to enjoy the challenge.”

Japan has a long history of producing some of the world’s best marathon runners, stretching back to the post-war era of the 1940s and 1950s. Japan dominated the global scene in the 1960s (in 1966 alone, 15 of the top 17 marathon times belonged to Japanese runners). As Tokyo looks ahead to hosting the 2020 Olympics, it hopes to see its marathon runners – like Osako – back in the medal count.

Kawauchi and Osako will be joined by strong field of Japanese athletes at the front of the 2018 field including: Ryo Kiname, Chihiro Miyawaki, Tsukasa Koyama, Taku Fujimoto and Yohei Suzuki.

Journalist interested in covering the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon can apply for media credentials now at chicagomarathon.com.

About the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 41st year on Sunday, October 7, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon welcomes thousands of runners from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class elite field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and charity runners. The race’s iconic course takes runners through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago. Annually, an estimated 1.7 million spectators line the streets cheering on more than 40,000 runners from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race’s national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating $282 million in annual economic impact to its host city. The 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 7. In advance of the race, a two-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts
Previous Post

2018 HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals Summer Training, Recovery from Track, Week 3, Day 3, a relaxed run

Next Post

2018 Des Moines Diary: Schedule and Athlete Declarations for 2018 USATF Outdoors

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Magnifiscent Monaco! Bol 51.95 WL, Wanyonyi 1:41.44 WL, Lyles defeated Tebogo
Diamond League

Magnifiscent Monaco! Bol 51.95 WL, Wanyonyi 1:41.44 WL, Lyles defeated Tebogo

July 12, 2025
Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro
Diamond League

Meeting International d’Athlétisme Herculis EBS Stade Louis II, Monaco (MON), 11 July 2025

July 12, 2025
Coffee with Larry, Episode 764, Monaco is coming! Final thoughts on Pre Classic.
Coffee With Larry

Coffee with Larry, Episode 764, Monaco is coming! Final thoughts on Pre Classic.

July 12, 2025
Coffee with Larry, July 9, 2025, Episode 763, NIKE Pre Classic, more stories on the 50th Pre Classic.
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 12, 2025, Week One, Day Six, In praise of Jemma Reekie

July 12, 2025
Coffee with Larry, May 14, 2024, A week of amazing track and field!
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 11, 2025, Week One, Day Five, back to the hills! Kenneth Rooks is our focus.

July 12, 2025
Noah Lyles Delivers at 2025 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
Diamond League

Tebogo vs. Lyles, men’s 800m and much more at Herculis Monaco

July 11, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
Magnifiscent Monaco! Bol 51.95 WL, Wanyonyi 1:41.44 WL, Lyles defeated Tebogo

Magnifiscent Monaco! Bol 51.95 WL, Wanyonyi 1:41.44 WL, Lyles defeated Tebogo

July 12, 2025
Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro

Meeting International d’Athlétisme Herculis EBS Stade Louis II, Monaco (MON), 11 July 2025

July 12, 2025
Coffee with Larry, Episode 764, Monaco is coming! Final thoughts on Pre Classic.

Coffee with Larry, Episode 764, Monaco is coming! Final thoughts on Pre Classic.

July 12, 2025
Coffee with Larry, July 9, 2025, Episode 763, NIKE Pre Classic, more stories on the 50th Pre Classic.

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 12, 2025, Week One, Day Six, In praise of Jemma Reekie

July 12, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Magnifiscent Monaco! Bol 51.95 WL, Wanyonyi 1:41.44 WL, Lyles defeated Tebogo
Diamond League

Magnifiscent Monaco! Bol 51.95 WL, Wanyonyi 1:41.44 WL, Lyles defeated Tebogo

July 12, 2025
Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro
Diamond League

Meeting International d’Athlétisme Herculis EBS Stade Louis II, Monaco (MON), 11 July 2025

July 12, 2025
Coffee with Larry, Episode 764, Monaco is coming! Final thoughts on Pre Classic.
Coffee With Larry

Coffee with Larry, Episode 764, Monaco is coming! Final thoughts on Pre Classic.

July 12, 2025
Coffee with Larry, July 9, 2025, Episode 763, NIKE Pre Classic, more stories on the 50th Pre Classic.
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 12, 2025, Week One, Day Six, In praise of Jemma Reekie

July 12, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

2018 Des Moines Diary: Schedule and Athlete Declarations for 2018 USATF Outdoors

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved