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Overseas Elites Arrive in Fukuoka One By One

http://www.asahi.com/sports/update/1128/SEB200711280012.html

translated by Brett Larner

One by one, invited athletes from overseas are arriving in Fukuoka for the Dec. 2nd running of the 61st Fukuoka International Marathon sponsored by Rikuren, The Asahi Newspaper Group and others. On Nov. 28th, Athens Olympics eighth place finisher Alberto Chaica (Portugal) arrived. He is the third of the four invited overseas elite runners to arrive in Fukuoka`s Athlete Village.

Chaica arrived at Fukuoka Airport today at approximately 4:25 p.m. It is his second time in Japan and his first time to run the Fukuoka International Marathon. He told reporters, "I`m well-rested, injury-free and feeling good. I want to win."

The field in the all-male race includes Japanese national record holder Toshinari Takaoka (Team Kanebo), course record holder Atsushi Fujita (Team Fujitsu) and four other domestic elites. All invited runners are scheduled to arrive in the Athlete Village by Nov. 29th.
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