KAWASAKI — Yuriko Kobayashi zoomed to the finish line for a victory in the meet-concluding women's 5,000-meter race on Sunday in the Japan Athletics National Championships.
On a rainy evening at Todoroki Stadium, the Hyogo Prefecture native separated herself from the front of the pack over the final two laps, extending her lead as the finish line approached. Her winning time was 15 minutes, 11.97 seconds. Nanae Kuwashiro placed second in 15.13.96. Other well-known runners, Kayoko Fukushi and Yoko Shibui, finished third and fourth, respectively.
Kobayashi, 19, made big improvements as a runner this season.