World marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich will be facing off with Kenyan-born turn Israel runner Lornah Chemtai Salpeter at the Nagoya Women marathon set for this Sunday in Nagoya, Japan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5CYKsnf1sI
The reigning Chicago marathon champion, Chepng’etich will be hoping to set her personal best in distance to improve on her 2:17.08 set at the 2019 Dubai marathon while Salpeter has 2:17:45 set at the 2020 Tokyo Marathon.
The two champions would face off with five Japanese sub 2:27 women ever assembled by Japans race organisers in recent times. Yuka Ando will lead the five elite athletes as she comes with the fastest time of 2:21.36 that she got at this race in 2017 where she finished in second place. Rie Kawauchi of 2:25.35 will also be on the line as well as Hanae Tanaka of 2:26.19. Others are Mirai Waku of 2:26.30 and Ai Hosoda of 2:26.34. these five will fight for the title to remain at home.
Australia’s Sinead Diver will be returning to Japan this time not as pacemaker but will be fighting for podium finish as she comes to the race with the fourth fastest time on paper with a lifetime best of 2:24.11 that she got at the 2019 London Marathon, where she finished in seventh place.
Diver was the pacemaker for Ichiyama where she helped her to set the current course record and a personal best in 2020.
LEADING TIME
42KM WOMEN
- Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:17.08
- Lonah Chemtai Salpeter (ISR) 2:17.45
- Yuka Ando (JPN) 2:21.36
- Sinead Diver (AUS) 2:24.11
- Rie Kawauchi (JPN) 2:25.35
- Hanae Tanaka (JPN) 2:26.19
- Mirai Waku (JPN) 2:26.30
- Ai Hosoda (JPN) 2:26.34