Ichiyama and Kipkoech win Olympic marathon test events
Qatar Tribune
DPA Frankfurt Japanâs Mao Ichiyama and Hillary Kipkoech of Kenya won half marathon races in Sapporo on Wednesday which served as test events for the Olympi...
DPAFrankfurtJapanâs Mao Ichiyama and Hillary Kipkoech of Kenya won half marathon races in Sapporo on Wednesday which served as test events for the Olympic marathons later this year.The course was similar to the first half of the Olympic marathon course, with the marathons and race walks moved to the northern city of Sapporo from the Olympic host city of Tokyo to avoid the intense heat there.Wednesdayâs races featured mainly Japanese runners but some international athletes were also present, having to isolate in their hotel rooms apart from training and the race owing to coronavirus regulations.Ichiyama led a Japanese podium sweep in the womenâs race with 1 hour 8 minutes 28 seconds while Kipkoech dominated the menâs race in a personal best 1:00:46 hours. No spectators were allowed.World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was present and quoted as saying that the races âdemonstrated the highest level of capability to organise these successful marathon events during this summerâs Games.â Another athletics test event is scheduled for Sunday in Tokyoâs National Stadium.The Olympics are to go ahead July 23-August 8 despite Tokyo being in another state of emergency and more than 70 per cent of the Japanese the Games will be postponed again or cancelled owing to the pandemic.More Related News