Japanese Regain World 24 Hour Run Titles

U.S. Teams 5th and 6th By Dan Brannen, AUA

Ryoichi Sekiya and Sumie Inagaki of Japan won the World 24 Hour titles this weekend in Taipei, Taiwan. Running steadily through day and night in overcast, damp conditions (60 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity over 90%), the two Japanese human metronomes took charge of the race after the first few hours and were never seriously challenged. The pair - who covered 272,936 meters / 169.59 miles and 237,144 meters / 147.35 miles respectively - recaptured the gold medals they had won in the 2004 World All Day/All Night race, but then had lost by a few places in 2005.

Sekiya led his countrymen to team victory over France and Italy, while Inagaki's 6K victory margin over Lyudmila Kalinina could not overcome the powerhouse of the silver medalist's distaff teammates, as the Russian women prevailed again over the Japanese.

The U.S. men's and women's teams placed 5th and 6th, respectively. John Geesler, for the 3rd time in the 4-year history of the World 24 Hour event, led the American men, placing 23rd overall (221,859m / 137.85 miles). Employing a rare strategy of running together, step-for-step for the entire race, Sandy Powell and Pam Reed tied for 19th place (191,336m / 118.89 miles) to lead the American women.

World 24 Hour Run
Taipei, Taiwan, Sat-Sun, Feb 25-26, 2006

MEN
1) Ryoichi Sekiya, JPN, 272,936 meters / 169.59 miles
2) Magroun Mohamed, FRA, 248,563m
3) Vladimir Bychkov, RUS, 246,098m
4) Osvaldo Beltramino, ITA, 245,698m
5) Masayuki Otaki, JPN, 244,572m

U.S. MEN
23) John Geesler, USA/NY, 221,859m / 137.85 miles
25) Alex Swenson, USA/VA, 219,272m
29) Roy Pirrung, USA/WI, 212,969m
38) Danny Ripka, USA/MN, 201,765m
44) Scott Eppelman, USA/TX, 189,361m

TEAM
1) Japan, 755,569 meters
2) France, 724,412m
3) Italy, 709,677m
5) USA, 654,100m

WOMEN
1) Sumie Inagaki, JPN, 237,144 meters / 147.35 miles
2) Lyudmila Kalinina, RUS, 231,356m
3) Kimie Noto, JPN, 229,146m
4) Galina Eremina, RUS, 223,208m
5) Irina Reutovich, RUS, 216,913m

U.S. WOMEN
19) Sandy Powell, USA/VA, 191,336m / 118.89 miles
19) Pam Reed, USA/AZ, 191,336m / 118.89 miles
24) Sue Olsen, USA/MN, 181,696m
30) Laura Nelson, USA/VA, 156,057m

TEAM
1) Russia, 671,477 meters
2) Japan, 654,555m
3) France, 596,172m
6) USA, 564,368m

Source RunningUSA