![[New Year Ekiden]GMO Suguru Osako 3 wards 11 out! “I was able to run well” 2nd place in the section for the first time in 8 years-Athletics: Nikkan Sports](https://japan.postsen.com/content/uploads/2022/12/31/8ef6cd82c8.jpg)
◇January 1, 2023 ◇Departure and arrival in front of Gunma Prefectural Office (7 sections, 100 km) ◇36 teams
Suguru Osako (31) of the GMO Internet Group ran without 11 runners in the New Year Ekiden for the first time in eight years in District 3 (13.6km). He finished second in the section with a time of 37 minutes and 57 seconds. The section prize went to Tomoki Ota of Toyota Motor Corporation with a time of 37 minutes and 40 seconds.
When he was crossed in 18th place, 41 seconds behind the leading SUBARU, he chased lightly and swiftly. He accelerated steadily and demonstrated his presence in the section where leading drivers such as Honda Kawase, Fujitsu’s Bando, Kurosaki Harima’s Tamura, and Toyota Motor’s Ota lived together.
After 7km, I caught up with the 6th place group. He ran side by side with Ota, who was catching up from behind. Passing 10 km was a speed of 27 minutes and 28 seconds.
At 12km, he caught up with the 4th place group. He was let go by Ota and others in the final spurt, but still passed Tasuki in 7th place. It was 31 seconds behind the leading Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Osako said with satisfaction, “I had a good run. I had a dialogue with my body to see how far I could run. There was a lot of cheering (from the roadside), and it was a great help.” talked.
In 2015, Osako ran in Section 1 with Nissin Foods and won the Section Award. It was his first appearance since then. After finishing 6th in the men’s marathon at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he once retired. From there, he returned from his desire to compete and proved that he is still a top runner in Japan.
