Yasukazu Miyazato of Japan (© Nadeem Khan)
Jeju, KoreaKorea’s Jeju Island will play host to the inaugural IAU 100Km Asian Championships on Saturday (27).
A field of 24 athletes representing five member federations will take part, led by Yasukazu Miyazato of Japan, the 2009 IAU 100Km World Cup champion, and Mai Fujisawa also of Japan, who finished eighth at the 2009 event. The pair come armed with personal bests of 6:40:43 and 7:55:48 respectively.
The island, off the south western coast of the Korean peninsula, is located about 450 kilometres from Seoul.
Miyazato, also the reigning world champion, is expected to be challenged by his teammate Yasutoshi Oshima, who has a best of 7:12:58. Local runner Dong Mun Lee, who is third in the standings, has clocked 7:45:13.
In the women’s section, Japan’s Fujisawa leads the pack, who finished eighth at the 2009 IAU 100km World Cup in Torhout, Belgium. She is followed by her teammates, Yoko Yamazawa and Takako Asano, with times of 7:58:1 and 8:19:43 respectively.
Athletes from Japan, Korea, Mongolia, The Philippines and Taipei will have the honour of being a part of the First Asian 100Km Championships.
The course is fairly flat with scenic views around Jeju Island. The runners will start at the Tapdong Beach Stage in Jeju city and finish in front of the Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo City.
There is also an open 100km race being run concurrently with the Championship. Additionally, a 50Km, Mt. Halla 148Km and Jeju 200Km races will be contested as well.
Results and some updates will be provided on the IAU website at www.iau-ultramarathon.org.
Nadeem Khan for the IAAF
A field of 24 athletes representing five member federations will take part, led by Yasukazu Miyazato of Japan, the 2009 IAU 100Km World Cup champion, and Mai Fujisawa also of Japan, who finished eighth at the 2009 event. The pair come armed with personal bests of 6:40:43 and 7:55:48 respectively.
The island, off the south western coast of the Korean peninsula, is located about 450 kilometres from Seoul.
Miyazato, also the reigning world champion, is expected to be challenged by his teammate Yasutoshi Oshima, who has a best of 7:12:58. Local runner Dong Mun Lee, who is third in the standings, has clocked 7:45:13.
In the women’s section, Japan’s Fujisawa leads the pack, who finished eighth at the 2009 IAU 100km World Cup in Torhout, Belgium. She is followed by her teammates, Yoko Yamazawa and Takako Asano, with times of 7:58:1 and 8:19:43 respectively.
Athletes from Japan, Korea, Mongolia, The Philippines and Taipei will have the honour of being a part of the First Asian 100Km Championships.
The course is fairly flat with scenic views around Jeju Island. The runners will start at the Tapdong Beach Stage in Jeju city and finish in front of the Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo City.
There is also an open 100km race being run concurrently with the Championship. Additionally, a 50Km, Mt. Halla 148Km and Jeju 200Km races will be contested as well.
Results and some updates will be provided on the IAU website at www.iau-ultramarathon.org.
Nadeem Khan for the IAAF
