There's a lot to learn. After the East African countries, Japan has long led the rest of the globe in marathon success.
For a time, Japanese running was mainly confined to a number of smallish, but super-elite annual marathons. However, the rapid growth of the Tokyo Marathon, now a World Marathon Major, has introduced mass participation running to a culture already attuned to elite competitions.
Larner explains a number of historical reasons for Japanese success, especially among male runners. These include the unique ekiden relay races so popular in Japan, including one--the Hakone Ekiden, at the beginning of each New Year--that rivets the entire country much as the Super Bowl does in the U.S.
Also, Japan has a system of corporate running teams where the athletes are actual company employees and not just sponsored superstars. This system may encourage more everyday runners, and even non runners, to become supporters of the country's best distance elites.
You can learn more about Brett Larner at the above website, or from his JRNHeadlines account on X.com.
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