Battle of wits between Japanese and Vietnamese runners at Read Marathon Hai Phong

Despite his efforts, Kento ultimately fell short of setting a new personal record (PR).

The race began at a brisk pace of 3:20–3:25 minutes per kilometer on the morning of Dec. 15. The 26-year-old Japanese runner joined Thanh Hoa athlete Bui Van Dung and defending champion Hua Thuan Long in a highly competitive marathon on the coastal course of Hai Phong.

“Right after the start, I felt really comfortable even at such a high pace,” Kento said after completing the race. “I covered the first 21 kilometers in 1 hour and 14 minutes and believed I could break the sub-2:30 mark. However, I realized I lacked the speed and endurance needed to achieve it on my own. I hoped someone like Thuan Long, a professional runner, could take the lead and set the pace.”

Tactical maneuvers on the track

Kento’s aggressive start put Long on alert. Unlike Kento, the Binh Duong-based runner had little information about his competitor, while Kento had studied Long’s previous performances. At the 24-kilometer mark, Long made a calculated decision to slow down, allowing Kento to take the lead and giving himself the chance to observe his opponent’s strategy.

This unexpected move forced Kento to choose between conserving energy by slowing his pace or maintaining his speed to stay ahead of the chasing group.

“Since I didn’t have the strength to sustain my initial pace, it eventually dropped to 3:40 minutes per kilometer. I knew Long would overtake me in the final stretch, but all I could do was hold on and push myself to catch up in the last 5 kilometers,” Kento admitted.

Unlike Long, who entered the race with clear goals, Kento confessed to having no specific strategy. “I usually avoid starting races at a high pace, but I wanted to try something new. Running alongside someone like Long, who competed in the Tokyo Marathon, was a great learning experience,” he said.

(From L) The top three male runners leading the full marathon distance Hua Thuan Long, Bui Van Dung and Kento Kabashima at the 15th km up a bridge at Read Marathon Hai Phong on Dec. 15, 2024. Photo by Read Marathon Hai Phong

A clash of ambitions

Long had previously set a personal best (PB) of 2 hours and 29 minutes at the Tokyo Marathon in March. He entered the Hai Phong race aiming to beat this record. However, Kento’s unexpected challenge forced him to prioritize defending his title over achieving a new PB.

“Kento’s presence completely altered my strategy. I had no information about him and couldn’t gauge his strength. My top priority became defending my championship rather than breaking my record,” Long said. “If he hadn’t been there, I’m confident I would have set a new PB. But this is marathon racing—anything can happen.”

In the end, Long crossed the finish line first with a time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 13 seconds, successfully defending his Read Marathon Hai Phong title. He earned a cash prize of VND31.7 million. Kento finished second with a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 5 seconds—a significant improvement from his previous best of 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 34 seconds, set at the Read Marathon Da Nang Midnight in July. He also earned a cash prize of VND28.7 million, the largest reward of his running career in Vietnam.

Bui Van Dung rounded out the top three with a time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 18 seconds.

For Kento, who has been living in Hanoi for a year and a half and working in tourism, the Read Marathon Hai Phong was more than just a race. It was an opportunity to explore Vietnam, challenge himself, and prepare for his next big goal: the Kikaijima Marathon in Japan in April 2025.