China's Zhou blows away field to claim gold

China's Zhou blows away field to claim gold

DOHA, Qatar - China's Zhou Chunxiu, the winner of the Asian Games women's marathon, smiles on the podium in Doha on Dec. 9, flanked by two Japanese runners, Kiyoko Shimahara (L) and Kayoko Obata who came in almost together to take the silver and bronze medals.

China's Zhou blows away field to claim marathon gold

China's Zhou blows away field to claim marathon gold

DOHA, Qatar - Japan's Kiyoko Shimahara (L) and Kayoko Obata show off their medals on the podium after coming second and third, respectively, in the women's marathon at the Asian Games on Dec. 9.

Kenyan Ndereba wins in Osaka with solid run

Kenyan Ndereba wins in Osaka with solid run

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese veteran Kayoko Obata comes second in the Osaka International Women's Marathon in 2:25:52 for the best finish of her marathon career on Jan. 29.

Japanese marathon runners off for Sydney

Japanese marathon runners off for Sydney

NARITA, Japan - Japanese Olympic marathon runners wave hands as they leave for Sydney from Narita airport April 26 to run in the Host City Marathon scheduled for April 30. (2nd from L to R) Eri Yamaguchi, Shinji Kawashima, Nobuyuki Sato, Takayuki Inubushi and Kayoko Obata.

Japan wins women's marathon team gold medal in Seville

Japan wins women's marathon team gold medal in Seville

SEVILLE, Spain - Japanese women marathoners receive gold medals in the team division at the world athletics championships in Seville on the final day, Aug. 29. Photo shows the marathoners at the prize-giving ceremony -- (from L) Ari Ichihashi finishing 2nd, Kayoko Obata eighth, Junko Asari 16th, and Mayumi Ichikawa 17th.

Kenyan Ndereba wins in Osaka with solid run

Kenyan Ndereba wins in Osaka with solid run

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese veteran Kayoko Obata comes second in the Osaka International Women's Marathon in 2:25:52 for the best finish of her marathon career on Jan. 29. (Kyodo)

China's Zhou blows away field to claim gold

China's Zhou blows away field to claim gold

DOHA, Qatar - China's Zhou Chunxiu, the winner of the Asian Games women's marathon, smiles on the podium in Doha on Dec. 9, flanked by two Japanese runners, Kiyoko Shimahara (L) and Kayoko Obata who came in almost together to take the silver and bronze medals. (Kyodo)

Japan wins women's marathon team gold medal in Seville

Japan wins women's marathon team gold medal in Seville

SEVILLE, Spain - Japanese women marathoners receive gold medals in the team division at the world athletics championships in Seville on the final day, Aug. 29. Photo shows the marathoners at the prize-giving ceremony -- (from L) Ari Ichihashi finishing 2nd, Kayoko Obata eighth, Junko Asari 16th, and Mayumi Ichikawa 17th.