A Historic Triumph for Edesa and Maeda at the Osaka International Women's Marathon

Sunday, 28 January 2024

Workenesh Edesa from Ethiopia and Japanese Honami Maeda shattered records at the Osaka International Women's Marathon, both finishing in under 2:19. Maeda's performance was particularly stellar, breaking the longstanding Japanese women's national record set in 2005.

The race began with five pacers setting a brisk pace for the lead group, which included Edesa, Maeda, Stella Chesang, Mizuki Matsuda, and Sayaka Sato. They reached the halfway mark in 1:09:46, indicating a potential finish time well below the required 2:21:41. This pace was just shy of the national record of 2:19:12 set by Mizuki Noguchi back in 2005. Maeda, holding the 30 km national record, surged ahead with a daring 3:11 km, distancing herself from the pacers and the group, signaling her intent to do something extraordinary.

As the race progressed, Matsuda fell behind while Maeda continued to lead, projecting a finish time of 2:19:08. Edesa, the fastest woman in the field with a personal best of 2:18:51, realized Maeda's serious challenge and accelerated to close the widening gap.

The competition intensified further after the 30 km mark, with Edesa overtaking Maeda. The ensuing segment was a gripping contest of determination and resilience, with Maeda and Edesa alternating leads but remaining within seconds of each other.

Naoko Takahashi, a legend in Japanese women's marathoning and part of the commentary team, remarked on Maeda's strategy, noting its distinct difference from their time-trial approach in the past. Maeda was not just running against time; she was strategically racing towards a new record.

Edesa ultimately crossed the finish line first, tying her personal best at 2:18:51, shattering the Osaka marathon course record. Maeda followed closely, finishing in 2:18:59 and surpassing Noguchi's national and Asian records by 13 seconds, a monumental achievement in Japanese marathon history. Post-race, Edesa expressed her joy and ambition for the Boston Marathon, while Maeda revealed her pre-race goal of breaking the national record.

Matsuda finished third in 2:23:07, while Chesang and Sato finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with German runner Katharina Steinruck, daughter of two-time Osaka Women's winner Katrin Dorre, setting a personal best.

OSAKA MARATHON RESULTS 2024

TOP RESULTS

1. Workenesh Edesa (ETH) - 2:18:51 =PB and new CR

2. Honami Maeda (JPN) - 2:18:59 - NR and Asian Record

3. Mizuki Matsuda (JPN) - 2:23:07

4. Stella Chesang (UGA) - 2:23:36

5. Sayaka Sato (JPN) - 2:24:43

6. Katharina Steinruck (GER) - 2:24:56

7. Natsumi Matsushita (JPN) - 2:25:10

8. Yuna Daito (JPN) - 2:25:16

9. Madoka Nakano (JPN) - 2:26:50

10. Mayu Nishikawa (JPN) - 2:26:50