• 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 Uncategorized

Frank Shorter & Bill Rodgers Remember The Fukuoka Marathon

Jeff Benjaminby Jeff Benjamin
January 22, 2022
0
0 0
0
SHARES
374
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

image8-thumb-autox866-69754 (1).jpeg

Frank Shorter making the break at Fukuoka Marathon, 1971, photo by Fukuoka Marathon /Asahi Shimbun

image4.jpeg

Bill Rodgers running Fukuoka Marathon, photo by Fukuoka Marathon /Asahi Shimbun

Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter are two of the finest distance runners in American history. Both Frank and Bill made running a cultural happening. From 1971-1974, Frank Shorter won 4 straight Fukuoka Marathons, and one Olympic gold medal (1972) , and one Olympic silver medal (1976). Bill Rodgers won 4 NYC Marathons and 4 Boston Marathons, between 1975 and 1980. Rodgers also competed in Fukuoka Marathon 3 times, (third in 1975, first in 1977, sixth in 1978).

Fukuoka Marathon was the true world championships in the marathon from the mid 1960s to the early 2000s. The rise of professional marathons and big money has lessened the effect of the Fukuoka Marathon, which held its last race in December 2021.

Jeff Benjamin spoke with both Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers on their experiences at the Fukuoka Marathon.

Frank Shorter & Bill Rodgers Remember The Fukuoka Marathon

By Jeff Benjamin

With the end of 2021 comes the end to one of the Sport’s legendary Marathon events.

After 75 years, Japan’s vaunted Fukuoka Marathon will no longer be held. Known to longtime runners and fans as one of the pinnacle races, Fukuoka served as the de facto “Annual Marathon World Championships” for decades as the world’s best distance runners would come to compete head-to head before knowledgeable and passionate Japanese fans.

This writer asked America’s only 2 Fukuoka Champions to comment on what the race meant to them.

Frank Shorter – 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 Champion!

image0.jpeg

The unmatched 4 victories of Frank Shorter, photo courtesy of Fukuoka Marathon / Asahi Shimbun

“Appreciation and acceptance come to mind when I think of how much the Fukuoka Marathon meant to me both in 1971 and now over the past 50 years.

It was understood to be the world championship race in every non Olympic year long before an official race existed. When you arrived in early December you knew the world’s best were going to be there.

The Japanese people love he marathon. There is no other way to describe it.”

Every invited runner from overseas would be greeted as if they were an athlete who might live there. You immediately got the feeling that all the organizers wanted you to do was run your best race.You were accepted and would be incorporated equally into the race field. Fukuoka was not about bragging rights. It was about seeing how good you could be on that day on a truly “level” marathon course.”

image2.jpeg

Bill Rodgers Taking Fukuoka in 1977, courtesy of Fukuoka Marathon/ Asahi Shimbun

Bill Rodgers – 1975 (3rd), 1977 Champion, 1978 (6th)

“Being invited to the Fukuoka International Marathon was quite an honor. When that happened you knew you were being invited to the number one marathon in the world and for the world-class runners who would meet and compete to win a medal there or to win the race itself!

It was hard to get an invite and hard to win there too!

For Frank Shorter – an Olympic Gold Medalist! – and myself it did feel like you won the Olympic gold there!

Also the way you were treated was first class first rate and for years they were the leaders at International Marathons for the World Marathon majors!

For 75 years to me Fukuoka was the “Boston Marathon of Japan!” And I’m very proud to be, along with Frank Shorter, the only Americans to ever win there and Frank and won it 4 times!”

image4.jpeg

RelatedPosts

Coffee with Larry, Episode 760, Nike Pre Classic, July 1, 2025 

Speed, Surprises, and Unforgettable Finishes at New Balance Nationals Outdoor

SPRINTING TO SUCCESS FOR GB&NI TEAM ON DAY 2 OF THE EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPS

Bill Rodgers, the 1977 Fukuoka Marathon, photo courtesy of Fukuoka Marathon, Asahi Shimbun

And now the Fukuoka curtain closes.

image5.jpeg

Frank Shorter, Jeff Benjamin, Bill Rodgers, photo from the Jeff Benjamin collection

Author

  • Justin Lagat

    Since 2013, Justin Lagat has written for RunBlogRun. His weekly column is called A view from Kenya. Justin writes about the world of Kenyan athletics on a weekly basis and during championships, provides us additional insights into the sport.

    View all posts
Previous Post

Obiri claims cross country win in Dundonald, from World Athletics

Next Post

Track & Field Results, January 2022 Vol. 1, compiled and edited by Carles Baronet

Justin Lagat

Justin Lagat

Since 2013, Justin Lagat has written for RunBlogRun. His weekly column is called A view from Kenya. Justin writes about the world of Kenyan athletics on a weekly basis and during championships, provides us additional insights into the sport.

Similar Post

Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro
Diamond League

Monaco always delivers

July 15, 2025
Denise Lewis is the new President of  UK Athletics
Interviews

Hannah England on commentary

July 15, 2025
Donavan Brazier’s Long Way Back to running Fast
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 14, 2025, Week Two , Day One, some thoughts on Donavan Brazier

July 15, 2025
FARAH SAYS SUNDAY’S LONDON MARATHON WILL BE HIS LAST
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field History, July 13, Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Decathlon (3 Day event), 1912, Dave Bedford breaks 10,000m WR (1973), written and compiled by Walt Murphy

July 14, 2025
Ten Questions to Eilidh Doyle…(from the RBR Archives 2021)
Interviews

Ten Questions to Eilidh Doyle…(from the RBR Archives 2021)

July 14, 2025
Eilidh Doyle-Passing the Baton, A Documentary Film Edited and Filmed by Urbane Media for Scottish Athletics
Interviews

Eilidh Doyle-Passing the Baton, A Documentary Film Edited and Filmed by Urbane Media for Scottish Athletics

July 14, 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
Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro

Monaco always delivers

July 15, 2025
Denise Lewis is the new President of  UK Athletics

Hannah England on commentary

July 15, 2025
Donavan Brazier’s Long Way Back to running Fast

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 14, 2025, Week Two , Day One, some thoughts on Donavan Brazier

July 15, 2025
FARAH SAYS SUNDAY’S LONDON MARATHON WILL BE HIS LAST

This Day in Track & Field History, July 13, Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Decathlon (3 Day event), 1912, Dave Bedford breaks 10,000m WR (1973), written and compiled by Walt Murphy

July 14, 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
Monaco Herculis Diamond League Meeting, the intro
Diamond League

Monaco always delivers

July 15, 2025
Denise Lewis is the new President of  UK Athletics
Interviews

Hannah England on commentary

July 15, 2025
Donavan Brazier’s Long Way Back to running Fast
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 14, 2025, Week Two , Day One, some thoughts on Donavan Brazier

July 15, 2025
FARAH SAYS SUNDAY’S LONDON MARATHON WILL BE HIS LAST
Athletic History

This Day in Track & Field History, July 13, Jim Thorpe Wins Olympic Decathlon (3 Day event), 1912, Dave Bedford breaks 10,000m WR (1973), written and compiled by Walt Murphy

July 14, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

Track & Field Results, January 2022 Vol. 1, compiled and edited by Carles Baronet

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