Sheila Chepkirui and Ruti Aga to run in Nagoya

With the race just around the corner on Sunday, March 9, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon held a pre-race media conference for invited elite athletes today in Nagoya, Japan, and some of the world’s fastest women runners shared their goals for the competition.

The event promised excitement on Sunday not only for the runners but for sports fans around the world.

Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya, 2024 TCS New York City Marathon Champion said, “My preparation was good. On Sunday, I want to do well with a strong mind, never giving up until I cross the finish line, like the proverb, ‘Never say it’s over until it’s over.’” Her competitor and 2019 Tokyo Marathon Champion, Ruti AGA of Ethiopia said, “My goal is to break my personal best of 2:18:09.”

For Japanese athletes, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2025 will be the last chance to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championships Tokyo in September. Rika KASEDA, who represented the country in the marathon at the 2023 World Championships, commented, “My goal is to finish under 2:20 and secure a spot in the national team. My strength is powerful running, and I want to use it and stay resilient after 30 km.” while Rino GOSHIMA, 2024 Paris Olympian in the 10000m, expressed her strong determination for her first marathon, saying “I will keep challenging myself and push beyond my limits until the very end.”

In addition to these world’s top elite athletes, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2025 will welcome 20,000 women runners who love the sport from home and abroad. All finishers will be presented with an event’s exclusively designed crystal tumbler from Baccarat and a T-shirt from New Balance as the finisher prize.

Sunday’s race will be streamed live free of charge to 37 countries and regions (Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States of America) on the race’s official website at https://womens-marathon.nagoya/en/broadcast.php. Please look forward to the race to start at 9:10 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025, Japan time!