Tomo Morimoto
Encyclopedia
is a female long-distance runner from Japan
who specialises in the marathon.
Born in Yamasaki, Hyōgo
, Morimoto made her marathon debut at the 2006 Osaka Women's Marathon and, even though she was not an invited elite runner, she managed to finish in fifth place in a time of 2:27:46. She set her personal best (2:24:33) in the women's marathon on May 7, 2006, winning the Vienna City Marathon. This was the race's second fastest run for a woman at that point after Maura Viceconte
's course record.
She formed part of the Okayama team for the Inter-Prefectural Women's Ekiden in January 2008 and her 4 km leg helped the team to third place in the relay race. She hoped to be selected for the 2008 Summer Olympics
and began her marathon season by running 2:25:34 for second place at the Osaka Marathon. She was also runner-up at the Vienna Marathon that year, finishing behind Luminiţa Talpoş
who defended her title. She missed out on a place in the Japanese squad
for the 2008 Summer Olympics
as the selectors preferred to pick Yurika Nakamura
.
She signed up for the 2009 London Marathon
and finished in eighth place with a time of 2:26:29 – the best performance by an Asian woman at the event. At the Berlin Marathon
in September 2010 she was among the race favourites and took third place with a time of 2:26:10 behind Ethiopians Aberu Kebede
and Bezunesh Bekele
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
who specialises in the marathon.
Born in Yamasaki, Hyōgo
Yamasaki, Hyogo
was a town in Shisō District, Hyōgo, Japan.On April 1, 2005 Yamasaki was merged with the towns of Chikusa, Haga and Ichinomiya, all from Shisō District, to form the new city of Shisō and no longer exists as an independent municipality....
, Morimoto made her marathon debut at the 2006 Osaka Women's Marathon and, even though she was not an invited elite runner, she managed to finish in fifth place in a time of 2:27:46. She set her personal best (2:24:33) in the women's marathon on May 7, 2006, winning the Vienna City Marathon. This was the race's second fastest run for a woman at that point after Maura Viceconte
Maura Viceconte
Maura Viceconte is a retired long-distance runner from Italy, who represented her native country twice at the Summer Olympics. She is best known for winning the bronze medal at the 1998 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary...
's course record.
She formed part of the Okayama team for the Inter-Prefectural Women's Ekiden in January 2008 and her 4 km leg helped the team to third place in the relay race. She hoped to be selected for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
and began her marathon season by running 2:25:34 for second place at the Osaka Marathon. She was also runner-up at the Vienna Marathon that year, finishing behind Luminiţa Talpoş
Luminiţa Talpoş
Luminiţa Talpoş is a female long-distance runner from Romania, who specialized in the marathon race during her career. She set her personal best in the women's marathon at the Vienna City Marathon on April 27, 2008.-Achievements:-References:*...
who defended her title. She missed out on a place in the Japanese squad
Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Japan competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The delegation of athletes and officials were represented by the Japanese Olympic Committee.The list of qualified entries for Japan is shown...
for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
as the selectors preferred to pick Yurika Nakamura
Yurika Nakamura
is a Japanese long-distance runner. Nakamura grew up in the Hyōgo Prefecture.She finished seventh at the 2006 World Road Running Championships, helping the Japanese team win the bronze medal in the team competition. In 2008, she won the Nagoya Marathon in her marathon debut. In the 2008 Summer...
.
She signed up for the 2009 London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
and finished in eighth place with a time of 2:26:29 – the best performance by an Asian woman at the event. At the Berlin Marathon
Berlin Marathon
The Berlin Marathon is a major running and sporting event held annually in Berlin, Germany. The official marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers is set up as a city-wide road race where professional athletes and amateur runners jointly participate...
in September 2010 she was among the race favourites and took third place with a time of 2:26:10 behind Ethiopians Aberu Kebede
Aberu Kebede
Aberu Kebede Shewaye is an Ethiopian long distance runner who specialises in road running competitions. Her half marathon best of 1:07:39 is one of the fastest ever by an Ethiopian woman...
and Bezunesh Bekele
Bezunesh Bekele
Bezunesh Bekele is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specializes in cross-country running and marathons.She was born in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa...
.