When talking about Japan's strongest running family,many people will instinctively think ofJapan's marathon record-holder Suguru Osako. Do you know what Suguru Osako's parents' running backgrounds were like?
In fact, at this year's March Tokyo Marathon, Suguru Osako's parents, the 64 year-old 大迫猛 and 大迫直惠 also ran in the same race, and both finished inside the top 100 of their respective age groups (大迫猛 3:12:15 — 45th in his age group ; 大迫直惠 4:06:12 — 86th in her age group ).
At the time, the full mobilization of the Osako family became a hot topic in Japan’s running community. Recently the Osako couple spoke to local media, sharing their athletic talents and their commitment to and love for long-distance running.
Behind their enviable performances on the field, what kind of athletic backgrounds do this couple in their sixties actually have? How did they come to embrace running?
Suguru Osako, recalling this Tokyo Marathon, shared: "Although 30 kilometers I was still feeling comfortable, but then my legs suddenly cramped and I had to slow down. Even so, being able at 63 years old to push my personal best to 3 hours 12 minutes, I feel very satisfied (though inevitably a little regretful). The three of us in my family all put in strong performances; this was a very happy race."
Recalling the moment she first started running: "When Suguru Osako had just started junior high, he trained at the gym near our home. I would drive him to and from his training every day, and in my spare time I would run with him.""Healso encouraged me to keep going — it was that sentence that made me start running."
Suguru Osako continued: “When I was in the first year of junior high, I started sprint training. In a Machida City meet after running 100 m, the athletics association also had me try long jump. Around the age of 50 years old, at a Tokyo meet I ran the 100 m in 12.4 seconds, and my long jump was 5.38 m.”
As for Takeshi Osako'sfirst marathon was completed at 54 years old:"At the time I was curious whether I could finish a marathon, so in 2017 I tried the Itabashi Marathon, finishing in 3:23:51."
Suguru Osako's father's athletic talent is astonishing, while his mother took a completely different path into the sport.
Naoe Osako admitted that during her school years she took part in basketball and tennis; after trying different sports, she found that long-distance running was always her favorite.
“In 2023 in Honolulu. I ran the marathon to celebrate my 60th birthday and retirement. I didn't know how long I could run, so I chose the Honolulu Marathon with no time limit. My time was 4:18:59, I remember my husband pushed me up the hills.”
Everyone's starting story is different, but what truly sustains their continual breakthroughs is a love of running and the day-by-day accumulation of training. How different are this couple's daily training volumes?
Suguru Osako says he's not a morning person, so he often runs from noon into the evening.
“Normally I run about 100 kilometers a month, but before a marathon I'll run 170-180 kilometers. Before this year's Tokyo Marathon, I ran nearly 300 kilometers, and at 63 years old I set a new personal best (3:12:15). My knees are prone to pain, so I can't increase the distance too much.”
Compared with her husband's discipline, Naomi Osako modestly said her marathon training is more relaxed.
“Before a marathon I try to run 100 kilometers, but normally I run around 60 kilometers. When I used to work full-time as a kindergarten teacher, I would run every morning before work, so I ran more. Now I also run during the day, but the distance hasn't increased.”
In March 2024, 大迫直惠跟丈夫一起参加了福井樱花马拉松，成绩是 4:01:50. Last year at the Nagoya Women's Marathon,she competed on her own for the first time,setting a 4:01:10 personal best.
One steadily increases training volume, the other runs more casually — their approaches differ, but their shared dedication to running is unmistakable.
Suguru Osako himself hasn't stopped. Recently he reappeared at the Portland Track Festival 5000 m on the track, continuing his pursuit of speed，clocking 13:46.47 to finish fifth. That mark is even slightly better than his season-best from last year (13:49.61)。
From Suguru Osako's breakthroughs on the track to his parents in their sixties still setting new personal records, this family-style discipline isthe Osako family'smost moving essence. They've used their footsteps to show what it truly means to"passion knows no bounds".
Although they have different starting points and different paces, they together exemplify the power of persistence. Running has never been just a contest of speed and rankings; it is an attitude toward life.
Having read this, do you recall your own or someone close’s running story? What made you take the first step, and what has kept you going until now? Share your running story in the comments below.
Text:Sports Notes / Editor:MP
