Sports · Running & Athletics · 4 hrs ago
Akitaka Akasaki runs a personal best at the Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon took place in Chicago, United States, on October 11.
Japan’s Akitaka Akasaki finished ninth in the men’s race in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 47 seconds.
It was a personal best by 28 seconds and the sixth-fastest marathon time by a Japanese runner.
His wife, Yuka Akasaki, finished 11th in the women’s race in 2:23:18.
That was faster than the qualifying standard for Japan’s marathon selection race for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, known as the MGC.
Yuka had not raced a marathon for a year and nine months.
She said she was relieved to have earned a place at the MGC and plans to keep building toward it.
Akitaka Akasaki ran a personal best of 2:05:47 at the Chicago Marathon, finishing ninth and first among the Japanese men.
His time was the sixth-fastest by a Japanese man in history and improved his personal best by 28 seconds.
Amos Kipruto of Kenya won the men’s race in 2:01:09.
Akasaki’s wife, Yuka Akasaki, finished 11th in the women’s race in 2:23:18 and secured a place in the selection race for the Los Angeles Olympics.
Akitaka Akasaki ran the Chicago Marathon on October 11.
- Who
- Japanese runner Akitaka Akasaki. His wife, Yuka Akasaki, also competed.
- What
- Akasaki ran a personal best of 2:05:47, finishing ninth and first among the Japanese men.
- When
- October 11. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The Chicago Marathon in Chicago, United States.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Chicago Marathon took place in Chicago.
Akasaki passed the first 5-kilometre split in 14:53.
Akasaki reached the halfway point in 1:02:32.
Akasaki finished in 2:05:47, improving his personal best by 28 seconds.
- Akitaka Akasaki’s time
- 2:05:47
- Men’s finish
- Ninth; first among Japanese runners
- Japanese all-time ranking
- Sixth
- Personal-best improvement
- 28 seconds
- Yuka Akasaki’s finish
- 11th in 2:23:18
What people are saying
I couldn't set a Japanese record. It was simply a disappointing result. But I also gained something from this race. It wasn't all for nothing, and what I've been doing wasn't wrong. I'll keep running, believing I can do it. Thank you for your support.
It was tough the whole time.
Sources
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