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After a two year absence from marathon running, Naoko Takahashi won

the Tokyo Women's Marathon today with a 2:24:39 performance. On this

course wo years ago, Takahashi was overhauled by Elfenesh Alemu at 39

kilometres. This time, it was Takahashi who surged away from Alemu in

the 35th kilometre. Thus what many considered to be a race of

redemption for the 2000 Olympic champion became a great comeback story,

particularly since she carried injuries into the race.

The key to her win was the five kilometre stretch between 35 and 40.

Despite it's uphill climb and strong headwind, Takahashi churned out

the stretch in 17:09 to run away from her final two challengers: Zivile

Balciunaite of Lithuania and Alemu. The question of whether she is

still one of the top marathon runners in the world was answered

affirmatively, not because of her final time, 2:24:39, but rather

because she showed her ability to change her pace at the end of the

race.

Takahashi: "I never gave up the idea of winning"

"I did not know what to expect from this race," she said, referring

to a recent injury, "but I never gave up on the idea of winning this

race." It was the third fastest performance on this course and for

Takahashi, her first marathon after she parted ways from long time

coach Yoshio Koide and formed "Team Q." She showed that she can succeed

as a self coached athlete.