Osaka Women's Marathon

Osaka Women's Marathon

OSAKA, Japan - Japan's Yukiko Akaba crosses the finish line at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Jan. 26, 2014, placing second in the Osaka Women's Marathon with a time of 2:26:00 in the last competitive race of her career.

Osaka Women's Marathon

Osaka Women's Marathon

OSAKA, Japan - Japan's Yukiko Akaba crosses the finish line at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Jan. 26, 2014, placing second in the Osaka Women's Marathon with a time of 2:26:00 in the last competitive race of her career.

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

DAEGU, South Korea - (From L) Japan's Yukiko Akaba, Yoshimi Ozaki and Remi Nakazato are seen in action around the 29-kilometer point during the women's marathon on Aug. 27, 2011, the opening day of the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea. Akaba finished fifth, the highest among the Japanese runners, in the race.

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

DAEGU, South Korea - Japan's Yukiko Akaba finishes fifth in the women's marathon on Aug. 27, 2011, the opening day of the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

DAEGU, South Korea - Japan's Yukiko Akaba (3rd from L) and Remi Nakazato (4th from L) are seen in action around the 30-kilometer point during the women's marathon on Aug. 27, 2011, the opening day of the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea. Akaba finished fifth, the highest among the Japanese runners, in the race.

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

OSAKA, Japan - Yukiko Akaba waves after finishing in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 29 seconds to win the Osaka Women's Marathon in Osaka on Jan. 30, 2011.

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

OSAKA, Japan - Yukiko Akaba crosses the finish line in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 29 seconds to win in the Osaka Women's Marathon in Osaka on Jan. 30, 2011.

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

DAEGU, South Korea - Japan's Yukiko Akaba finishes fifth in the women's marathon on Aug. 27, 2011, the opening day of the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea. (Kyodo)

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

DAEGU, South Korea - Japan's Yukiko Akaba (3rd from L) and Remi Nakazato (4th from L) are seen in action around the 30-kilometer point during the women's marathon on Aug. 27, 2011, the opening day of the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea. Akaba finished fifth, the highest among the Japanese runners, in the race. (Kyodo)

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

Akaba finishes 5th in marathon at worlds

DAEGU, South Korea - (From L) Japan's Yukiko Akaba, Yoshimi Ozaki and Remi Nakazato are seen in action around the 29-kilometer point during the women's marathon on Aug. 27, 2011, the opening day of the world athletics championships in Daegu, South Korea. Akaba finished fifth, the highest among the Japanese runners, in the race. (Kyodo)

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

OSAKA, Japan - Yukiko Akaba crosses the finish line in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 29 seconds to win in the Osaka Women's Marathon in Osaka on Jan. 30, 2011. (Kyodo)

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

Akaba wins Osaka Women's Marathon

OSAKA, Japan - Yukiko Akaba waves after finishing in 2 hours, 26 minutes, 29 seconds to win the Osaka Women's Marathon in Osaka on Jan. 30, 2011. (Kyodo)