Nagoya Women’s Marathon course record under threat as Salpeter faces Chepngetich

World Marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich, will make her debut at the 42nd edition of the Nagoya Women’s Marathon, which is a World Athletics platinum label road race that will be held on Sunday(13) in Nagoya, Japan.

The reigning champion of the Chicago Marathon goes to this race carrying a Personal best of 2:17.08 that she got when she won the 2019 Dubai Marathon.

The 27 year-old will not have an easy race as she will face off with Kenyan -Israel runner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter who also comes to this race with a personal best of 2:17:45 that she got when took the top honors at the 2020 Tokyo Marathon.

Chepngetich looks superior to Salpeter both on paper and experience but the only thing they have in common is each has won one marathon major.

The race organisers have put the two together to try and attack the race course record of 2:20.29 that was set in 2020 by Mao Ichiyama of Japan.

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

1. Ruth Chepngetich               (KEN) 2:17.08
2. Lonah Chemtai Salpeter     (ISR)  2:17.45
3. Yuka Ando                              (JPN) 2:21.36
4. Sinead Diver                          (AUS) 2:24.11
5. Rie Kawauchi                         (JPN) 2:25.35
6. Hanae Tanaka                        (JPN) 2:26.19
7. Mirai Waku                             (JPN) 2:26.30
8. Ai Hosoda                               (JPN) 2:26.34