Saitama International Marathon Kotoshi held off Official announcement January 27 19:20
It was officially announced on the 27th that the Saitama International Marathon, which had been stagnant in participation of influential athletes despite being a selection race for the Japan Women's National Team, such as the Olympics, will not be held again.
This was announced jointly by organizers such as Saitama City and the Japan Athletics Federation.
The Saitama International Marathon has been held since 2015 as a successor to the Yokohama International Women's Marathon, which ended due to financial difficulties, etc. In December, only one invited player from Japan participated.
The organizers have officially decided not to hold the Koto-no-Shikoku event because it is difficult to maintain it as a national selection race, and are considering conducting it as a citizen marathon from next year.
Mayor Shimizu of Saitama City commented, "It is very unfortunate that we will not be able to hold the tournament. We will continue discussions toward holding a tournament that everyone can enjoy." .
Japan Athletic Federation Chairman "I want to support the general department so that I can continue."
The Saitama International Marathon is no longer a selection race for the Japan Women's Marathon, and the event itself has been postponed, according to Hiroshima Yokokawa, chairman of the Japan Athletics Federation. Although it was not possible to get the participation of influential athletes at home and abroad, however, more than 60,000 runners participated in the competition five times, I have been playing a role in promoting sports, and I want to continue to support the general departments in the future. "