by Brett Larner Running his third European marathon of the year with support from JRN, Yuki Kawauchi (Saitama Pref. Gov't) follows up his April win at the Zurich Marathon and his 2:11:03 at September's Berlin Marathon with his Portuguese debut at Sunday's Porto Marathon . With a slightly easier course this year Kawauchi joins top-ranked Kenyans Samuel Theuri Mwaniki , Pius Kirop and Gilbert Kipkemboi Maina in gunning for the 2:09:51 Porto Marathon record set in 2011 by Philemon Bairu (Kenya). Three weeks ago at the Takashimadaira Road Race Kawauchi ran 59:43 for 20 km, equivalent to 1:02:59 for the half marathon. "That was great training," he told JRN. "I didn't do that kind of speed work before Berlin, so I definitely think I can run faster here than I did there." At the pre-race press conference Kawauchi was even clearer: when asked what kind of race he hoped to run he replied, "One where I break the course record." ...
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