Fastest half marathon time by a Japanese woman in over 10 years was run today at

The 37th annual Sanyo Ladies Road Race was held at the Okayama City circle course today December 23.  Also known as the Sanyo Women's Road Race, is an annual road running competition for women held in December in Okayama, Japan.

In the half marathon division, MGC Race 2020 Olympic marathon trials qualifier Honami Maeda (Tenmaya) won her first Sanyo title in 1:09:12, the fastest time by a Japanese woman in over 10 years.  Her previous PR according to her IAAF profile was 1:10:22. Sanyo Ladies Road Race

Dropping the lead pack just a kilometer into the race, Maeda ran solo the entire way to become the only Japanese woman under 1:10 this year.

Australian Ellie Pashley was 2nd in 1:09:20, with Maeda's teammate and fellow MGC qualifier Rei Ohara (Tenmaya) 3rd in 1:10:37. National record holder Kayoko Fukushi (Wacoal) was 6th in 1:11:32. 

posted Sunday December 23rd