|  Female
Catherine Ndereba - Kenya |
 With the second fastest full-marathon finish in history under her belt, Catherine Ndereba is the queen of the marathon world. In 2001, she triumphed at the Chicago Marathon and set what was then a world-record time of 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 47 seconds. In 2003 at the World Track and Field Championships in Paris, she won the gold medal after shaking off a challenge by Japanese runner Mizuki Noguchi (who was sponsored by Globaly at the time). She finished behind Noguchi to take the silver medal in 2004 at the Athens Olympics and behind Paula Radcliffe at the World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki in 2005 for yet another silver medal. Such standout finishes in three consecutive years at international meets attracting the best Olympic and world-class runners anywhere help to draw a sharp contrast between Ndereba and the rest of her competition. No doubt, Ndereba will demonstrate her lithe running style to the delight of her fans at this event as well. 160 cm, 45 kg, born in 1972, 33 years old. |
Personal best
Full marathon: 2:18:47
(2001 in Chicago; world record at the time;
currently the second fastest race of all time)
Major race records
2006 Osaka International Women's Marathon: first in 2:25:05
2005 World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki: second
in 2:22:01
2005 Sapporo International Half Marathon: first in 1:09:24
2005 Boston Marathon: first in 2:25:13
2004 Athens Olympics: second in 2:26:32
2004 Sapporo International Half Marathon: fifth in 1:10:52
2004 Boston Marathon: first in 2:24:27
2003 World Track and Field Championships in Paris: first in 2:23:55
2003 Sapporo International Half Marathon: first in 1:08:23
2002 Chicago Marathon: second in 2:19:26
2002 Boston Marathon: second in 2:21:12
2001 Chicago Marathon: first in 2:18:47 (world record at the time)
2001 Boston Marathon: first in 2:23:53
2000 Chicago Marathon: first in 2:21:33
2000 Boston Marathon: first in 2:26:11 |
|
 Male
Kazuo Ietani - Sanyo Special Steel |
Kazuo Ietani is a top all-around male long-distance runner who performs well in races ranging in distance from 5,000 meters to half marathons. His successful showing as the fastest Japanese runner to complete the 2005 Sendai International Half Marathon (fourth overall with a time of 1:03:49) secured him a spot as a representative at the World Half Marathon Championships. He fought hard at this event and finished in eighth place to prove he belongs at this level. 168 cm, 53 kg, born in 1977, 28 years old. |
Personal bests
5000 m: 13:43:68
10,000 m: 28:13:83
10 miles: 46:29
Half marathon: 1:01:30
Major race records
2006 All Japan Businessmen's Half Marathon: second in 1:02:00
2006 Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon: fourth in 1:02:26
2005 World Half Marathon Championship: eighth in 1:02:26
2005 Sendai International Half Marathon: fourth in 1:03:49
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|
|  Female
Kayoko Fukushi - Wacoal
|
Kayoko Fukushi is in a league of her own among Japanese long-distance female runners in the 5000 meter and 10,000 meter events. Although she failed to win any medals at the World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki in 2005, she managed to record exceptional times of 14:59 in the 5000 meter race and 31:03 in the 10,000 meter race despite competing in races at the height of summer. 161 cm, 45 kg, born in 1982, 24 years old. |
Personal bests
1500 m: 00:4:22.08
3000 m: 00:8:44.40 (Paris, 2002; new Japanese record)
5000 m: 00:14:53.22 (Rome, 2005; new Japanese record)
Half marathon: 1:07:26
(2006 Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon;
new Asian and Japanese records)
Major race records
2006 Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon: first in 1:07:26
(new Asian and Japanese records)
2005 Golden Gala, 5000 m: twelfth in 00:14:53.22
(new Japanese record)
2002 ST DENIS GP, 3000 m: seventh in 00:8:44.40
(new Japanese record)
2002 Asian Games, 10,000 m: second in 00:30:51.81
(second fastest Japanese time ever) |
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| The city of Sendai is involved in a number of city-to-city exchange programs with seven sister and friendship cities from around the world: Riverside (United States), Rennes (France), Minsk (Belarus), Acapulco (Mexico), Changchun (PRC), Dallas (United States), and Kwangju (South Korea). |
| |
Riverside(U.S.A.) |
California, U.S.A.
Date of affiliation:
March 9, 1957 |
 |
| Riverside, a county situated in the center of scenic southern California, is famous throughout the United States as a health resort destination thanks to its warm climate. With tourism and orange cultivation its primary economic activities, it is home to approximately 260,000 people. |
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Team leader
Karla E. Adams
IRC Sendai Committee Joint Committee Chairperson |
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Male runner
Ross Fisher
Half marathon: 1:18:30 |
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Female runner
Mara L Caples
Half marathon: 1:21:00 |
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Rennes (France) |
Ille-et-Vilaine, France
Date of affiliation:
September 6, 1967 |
|
| As the capital of Brittany, Rennes is its political, economic, and cultural center. With geographical features and a climate similar to the Tohoku region, it has long flourished as an agricultural area. At the same time, the growth of a high-tech industrial presence in recent years is also a notable feature of the local economy. Rennes has a population of approximately 210,000 people.. |
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|
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Team leader
TANGUI OULC'HEN
Official in charge of the Rennes International Exchange Department |
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Male runner
FABRICE JAOUEN
Half marathon: 1:04:33 |
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Female runner
MARINA HEURTAULT
Half marathon: 1:22:00 |
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|
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Minsk(Belarus) |
Republic of Belarus
Date of affiliation:
April 6, 1973 |
|
| As the capital city of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk is the country's political, cultural, and economic center. This city is famous for the production of automobiles, tractors, and other motorized vehicles. Numerous academic and cultural institutions, including the Science Academy, theaters, museums, and libraries, are located here. Minsk is home to approximately 1.7 million residents. |
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|
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Team leader
Anatol Y. KUNTSEVICH
Vice-mayor of Minsk |
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Male runner
Dzmitry N. BARANOUSKI
Half marathon: 1:09:13 |
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Female runner
Anastasiya P. PADALINSKAYA
Half marathon: 1:16:32 |
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| |
Changchun(China) |
Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
Date of affiliation:
October 27, 1980 |
|
| Situated virtually in the precise center of the northeast region of China, Changchun is the capital of Jilin Province and the political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub of this region. Having grown as an industrial and cultural town, the city is especially famous as the home of the Changchun First Automobile Factory. Changchun is home to a total population of 7,180,000 people (with an urban population of approximately 3,100,000 people). |
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Team leader
Li Minzhu
Changchun Sports School
|
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Male runner
Ding Dacheng
Half marathon: 1:15:00 |
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Female runner
Yu Jing
Half marathon: 1:20:00 |
|
| |
Dallas(U.S.A.) |
Texas, U.S.A.
Date of affiliation:
August 29, 1997 |
|
| Located in northeastern Texas, Dallas is a key city in the south central region of the United States. Its major industries include oil, distribution, electronics, and airlines. The city is also famous as the home of several professional sports franchises. The population of Dallas is approximately 1,210,000 people. |
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Team leader
Edward P. Oakley
Member of the Dallas City Council |
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Male runner
David W. Ray
Half marathon: 1:09:55 |
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Female runner
Sheila Natho
Half marathon: 1:25:56 |
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| |
Kwangju(Korea) |
Kwangju, Republic of Korea
Date of affiliation:
April 20, 2002 |
|
| Kwangju (alternative spelling: Gwangju) is a metropolitan city located in the southwest region of South Korea. It is a hub of political, economic, and cultural influences, as well as a cultural city with an impressive concentration of institutions of higher education. Kwangju hosts the Gwangju Biennale, an international arts festival, every other year. The city is home to approximately 1,400,000 people. |
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Team leader
No Seung-seog
Director of the Gwangju Athletic Federation
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Male runner
Kwon Ohik
Half marathon: 1:08:00 |
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Female runner
Choi Minjung
Half marathon: 1:16:00 |
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| Invited athletes from the business community (male)
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Shinichi Watanabe
Sanyo Special Steel
2004 Berlin Marathon: sixth in 2:09:32
2004 Saitama National Athletic Meet Half Marathon: first in 1:02:38 |
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John Kanyi
Toyota Motor
1999 Tokyo City Half Marathon: new event record in a time of 1:00:49
2002 Cork City Athletics Meet - 5000 m: new event record in a time of 13:27:27
2003 All Japan Businessmen's Track and Field Meet - 10,000 m: new event record in a time of 27:46:87
2006 All Japan Businessmen's Half Marathon: third in 1:02:00 |
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Shinichiro Okuda
Toyota Motor
2000 Sendai Half Marathon: third in 1:03:22
2002 All Japan Businessmen's Track and Field Meet ? 5000m: new event record in a time of 13:50:59
2002 Hachioji Long Distance ? 10000m: new event record in a time of 28:43:10
2003 Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon: new event record in a time of 1:02:02 |
|
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Takayuki Nishida
JAL/AGS
1999 Kumanichi 30km Road Race: fourth in 1:30:01
1999 Universiade: second
2001 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon: first in 2:08:45
2001 World Track and Field Marathon: ninth
2003 Nagoya Half Marathon: third in 1:02:34 |
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James Ndungu
Yachiyo Industry
2001 Nagoya Half Marathon: second in 1:00:50
2004 Golden Games in Nobeoka - 5000 m: seventh in 13:29:60
2005 Yachiyo Distance - 10,000 m: third in 28:00:69
2005 New Year's Ekiden (third section): second in 00:31:49
2006 New Year's Ekiden (first section): sixth in 00:34:50 |
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Michitaka Hosokawa
Otsuka Pharmaceutical
2005 Helsinki World Track and Field Marathon: Japanese representative
2005 2005 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon: third in 2:09:10 |
|
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Masatoshi Ibata
Aisan Industry
1995 Tokyo City Half Marathon: 1:00:55 |
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Daniel Njenga
Yakult
2004 Tokyo International Marathon: first in 2:08:43
2005 Sendai International Half Marathon: second in 1:03:38
2005 Chicago Marathon: third in 2:07:14 |
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Hidemi Yokomine
Yakult
2005 Nittai-dai Athletics Meet: 13:59:01
2005 Yachiyo Long Distance: 28:52:95
2006 All Japan Businessmen's Ekiden (fifth section): fourth in 00:46:41 |
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Julius Maina
Toyota Boshoku
2002 Mito International Track and Field ? 5000 m: first in 13:22:39
2004 All Japan Businessmen's Ekiden (third section): first in00: 30:46
2005 Nagoya International Half Marathon: first in 1:01:43 |
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| Invited athletes from the business community (female) |
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Ikuko Nagao
Sekisui Chemical
2005 USA Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon: third in 1:10:13
2005 Kobe Women's Invitational Long Distance ? 5000m: fifth in 15:43:57
2006 All Japan Corporate Women's Half Marathon: fifth in 1:10:20 |
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Yuko Machida
Nippon Chemi-Con
2005 Miyazaki Women's Road Half Marathon: eighth in 1:11:03
2005 Oume Marathon ? 10 km: second in 00:33:04
2005 Beijing International Relay Marathon: third in section
2005 Kasumigaura 10 miles: third in 00:55:49
2006 Nagoya International Marathon: fifth in 2:29:48 |
|
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Asami Obi
Starts
2000 Corporate Women's Half Marathon: eleventh in 1:10:04
2004 Nagoya Half Marathon: second in 1:11:44
2004 Takashimadaira Road Race ? 20 km: first in 1:07:15
2005 Beijing International Marathon: eighth in 2:32:36 |
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Mikie Takanaka
Sega Sammy
2002 Miyazaki Women's Road Half Marathon: second in 1:08:32
2002 Sapporo International Half Marathon: second in 1:09:13
2002 Corporate Women's Half Marathon: third in 1:09:42
2003 World Half Marathon Championship: ninth in 1:10:36 |
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| Invited athlete:
15th Sendai International Half Marathon prizewinner |
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Yoshimi Hoshino
eA Shizuoka
2005 Nagano Marathon: fifth in 2:36:19
2005 Oume Marathon ? 30km: second in 1:47:03
2005 Otawara Marathon: first in 2:35:58
2005 Okayama National Athletic Meet (Half): seventh in 1:13:53
2005 Sendai International Half Marathon: eighth in 1:15:24 |
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| Invited wheelchair athletes |
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Jun Hiromichi
Densei-Lambda
2000 Sydney Paralympics ? 800 m: second in 00:1:44
2004 Athen Paralympics ? 800 m: third in 00:1:38 (new Japanese record)
2005 15th Sendai International Half Marathon:
first (13.0975km) in 00:29:50
2006 Fukuyama Half Marathon: first in 00:49:38 |
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Kozo Kubo
Hokkaido Handicapped Athletic Association
2005 National Hamanasu Wheelchair Marathon: third in 1:36:00
2005 15th Sendai International Half Marathon:
second (13.0975km) in 00:29:51
2005 Oita International Wheelchair Marathon: third among domestic racers in 1:29:00 |
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| Invited university athletes (male) |
| Toru Harada |
Nihon University
Ageo City Half Marathon: 1:05:32 |
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| Hideaki Takahashi |
Nihon University
Ageo City Half Marathon: 1:05:14 |
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| Jun Murakami |
Nihon University
Ageo City Half Marathon: 1:04:51 |
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| Yuki Takahashi |
Nihon University
Tachikawa Half Marathon: 1:07:35 |
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| Masaki Ito |
Hosei University
2005 Tachikawa Half Marathon: 1:05:25
2005 Ageo Half Marathon: 1:04:38
10,000 m: 00:30:30
5000 m: 00:14:33 |
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| Yusuke Goto |
Hosei University
82nd Hakone Ekiden, eighth section: fifth
Ageo Half Marathon: 1:03:55
2005 5000 m: 00:14:21 |
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| Mitsuru Miyasaka |
Hosei University
2006 Tachikawa Half Marathon: 1:07:24
10,000 m: 00:29:56
5000 m: 00:14:34 |
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| Hajime Mizunuma |
Hosei University
5000 m: 0:14:54
10,000 m: 00:30:46
Half marathon: 1:05:55 |
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| Hiroya Takahashi |
Nippon Sport Science University
82nd Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden (eighth section): participated |
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| Tsukasa Fujiwara |
Nippon Sport Science University
82nd Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden (seventh section): participated |
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| Kenichi Jiromaru |
Komazawa University
2005 Ageo Half Marathon: 1:03:46 |
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| Kenji Sunahara |
Komazawa University
Half marathon: 1:06:35 |
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| Tomoaki Bungo |
Komazawa University
2005 Tachikawa Half Marathon: 1:04:20
5000 m: 00:14:09.73 |
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| Taisyu Iwai |
Komazawa University
2005 Ageo Half Marathon: 1:05:25 |
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|
| Invited university athletes (female) |
| Yukiko Konaka |
Ritsumeikan University
National Athletic Meet Half Marathon: 1:14:58 |
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| Rei Miura |
Ritsumeikan University
Matsue Half Marathon: 1:16:04 |
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| Saori Hashimoto |
Ritsumeikan University
Kyoto City Half Marathon: 1:16:10 |
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| Yukie Nakadomari |
Ritsumeikan University
Kyoto Athletic Association Meet - 5000 m: 00:16:14.8 |
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| Miki Kimura |
Kyoto Sangyo University
12th Kyoto City Half Marathon: 1:16:56 |
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| Mebae Wakimoto |
Kyoto Sangyo University
15th Sendai International Half Marathon: twenty-third in 1:20:05.5 |
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| Ikumi Tomoda |
Kyoto Sangyo University
3rd All Japan University Women's All-Star Ekiden (fourth section): seventeenth in 00:22:01 |
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| Yuko Sakurada |
Josai International University |
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| Yuko Shiba |
Josai International University |
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| Hiroyo Iihoshi |
Josai International University |
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| Yoshimi Hakota |
Josai International University |
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| Megumi Sato |
Josai University
Sendai Half Marathon: sixth in 1:14:55 |
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| Tomomi Hagiwara |
Josai University
3000m: 00:9:37 |
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| Tomiyo Umekawa |
Josai University
Sendai Half Marathon: 1:18:20 |
|
| Miho Tanaka |
Josai University
Sendai Half Marathon: 1:21:23 |
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|
| Invited athletes nominated by the Hokkaido & Tohoku Athletic Associations |
| Shinichi Ito |
Japan Community |
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| Masashi Akiniwa |
Kitamurayama Athletic Association |
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| Toshifumi Uenaka |
J..S. Sports |
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| Kaoru Akagi |
Seiwa Club |
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| Kozue Saito |
Sports Yamagata 21 |
|
|
| Outstanding athletic performance at the Sendai Citizen Marathon |
| Miki Takahashi |
Sendai Iron Man Association
2005 Matsushima Half Marathon: sixth in 1:26:37
2005 26th Sendai Citizen Marathon - 10 km: first in 00:38:10
2006 24th Tohoku Block New Year's Marathon - full general women's division: first in 3:10:44
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