When talking about Japan's strongest running family,many people will probably think ofJapan's marathon record-holder Suguru Osako. Do you know what Suguru Osako's parents' running backgrounds are like?
Actually, at this year's3 Tokyo Marathon, Suguru Osako's parents, currently aged64 years old, Takeshi Osako and Naoe Osako also participated in the same race, and in their respective age groups both finished inside the top100 places (Takeshi Osako 3:12:15, 45th; Naoe Osako 4:06:12, 86th）。
The Osako family's full mobilization became a hot topic in Japan's running community. Recently the Osako couple gave a local media interview, sharing their athletic gifts and their persistence and love for long-distance running.
Behind their enviable performances on the course, what kind of athletic résumé do this couple in their sixties actually have? How did they get into running?
Takeshi Osako, recalling this Tokyo Marathon, said:"Although30 up to [blank] kilometers I was still feeling fine, but then my leg suddenly cramped and I had to slow down. Even so, being able at63 years old to push my personal record to3 hours12 minutes, I felt very satisfied (though inevitably a little regretful). All three of us in the family posted good performances; it was a very happy race."
Recalling how they first started running: "When Suguru Osako had just entered junior high school, he trained at the gym near our home. I drove him to practice every day, and in my spare time I ran along with him.""HeAt the time he also encouraged me to keep going — it was that sentence that made me start running.”
Takeshi Osako went on to say, "When 大迫杰 was in his first year of junior high, I began training in sprinting. In a competition in Machida City I ran100 m, after which the athletics association had me try the long jump. Around50 years old, in a Tokyo competition, I100 m and recorded12.4 seconds, and a long jump of5.38 m.”
As for Takeshi Osako'sfirst marathon, it was in54 and was completed at the age of：“At the time I was curious whether I could finish a marathon, so in2017 I tried the Itabashi City Marathon; my result was3:23:51。”
大迫杰's father's athletic talent is remarkable, while his mother took a completely different route 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 had always been her favorite.
“2023 In in Honolulu. I ran the marathon to celebrate my60 th birthday and my retirement. I didn't know how long I could keep running, so I chose the untimed Honolulu Marathon. My result was4:18:59, and I remember my husband pushing me uphill.”
Each had a different origin story, but what truly propels their continual breakthroughs is a love of running and the day‑to‑day accumulation of training. How different are this couple's daily training volumes?
Takeshi Osako said he's not an early riser, so he often runs from noon until the evening.
“Normally he runs about100 kilometers or so per month, but before a marathon he will run170-180 kilometers. Before this year's Tokyo Marathon, I ran nearly300 kilometers, at63 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 persistence, Dapuo Zhihui modestly said that her marathon training has been more casual.
“Before a marathon I try to run100 kilometers, but normally I run about60 kilometers or so. When I worked full‑time as a kindergarten teacher I used to run every morning before work, so I ran more. Now I run during the day too, but the distances haven't increased.”
2024 year 3In [month], Naoe Osako took part in the Fukui Sakura Marathon with her husband; her finishing time was4:01:50. Last year at the Nagoya Women's Marathon,she competed solo for the first time,achieved4:01:10 as her personal best.
One increases the volume with effort, the other runs more casually—though their methods differ, their dedication to running is the same.
Suguru Osako himself has not been resting. Recently he was at the Portland Track Festival.5000 Back on the track, continuing the pursuit of speed.，With13:46.47 he took fifth place with that result. This mark is even slightly better than his season-best from last year (13:49.61）。
From Suguru Osako's breakthrough on the track to his parents, who in their sixties still keep setting new personal records, this family-style discipline is preciselythe Osako familytheir most moving core. They have written with their footsteps what true"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 alsois awayofapproachinglife — an attitude.。
Reading this, do you also recall your own or someone close's running story? What made you take the first step? And what has kept you going until now? Feel free to share your running story in the comments.
Text：Sports Notes / Editor：MP
