Japanese runner praises Seoul Int’l Marathon

“I really like the even course,” said Naoki Tsujioka, 49, a Japanese runner who will compete in the masters category of the 2011 Seoul International Marathon on March 20 sponsored by The Dong-A Ilbo. “The Seoul International Marathon is more attractive than any marathon in Japan.”

Tsujioka ran in his first marathon in Seoul in 2007, when the first Tokyo Marathon was also held. He was in the Korean capital four years ago because his mother was learning Korean.

As a big fan of marathons, he competed in Seoul without expectation because he happened to be there after learning that his favorite runner Atsushi Fujita won the 2002 Seoul marathon.

Tsujioka says he is deeply engrossed by the even marathon course starting from the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin on downtown Seoul’s Sejong Road and crossing the city center alongside Cheonggye Stream and the bridge over the Han River.

Competing in every Seoul marathon since 2007, he called Jamsil Bridge, the 35-kilometer point of the course, the most attractive section. “Whenever I run over the bridge, I’m impressed by the grandeur of the Han River,” he said. “When I see Olympic Stadium, the end point, I also feel relieved like I’m almost (past the finish line).”

Tsujioka said he also likes the Seoul marathon because he posted his best time here. Finishing the marathon in less than three hours from 2008 to last year, he achieved a personal best of 2 hours, 54 minutes, 18 seconds, saying, “I get good results because the course is even. I think I fit this marathon.”

After the Seoul marathon was upgraded to “gold label” status, the highest certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations, he said he was all the more motivated and seeks to break his career record this time.

Tsujioka also mentioned that watching himself on the large screen at Jamsil Stadium and confirming the official record in the evening of the same day are also strengths of the Seoul marathon.

wing@donga.com