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American Galen Rupp won a half marathon Friday in the time of 60:22. Also in the race was Suguru Osako.
It was widely predicted that Rupp was going after Ryan Hall’s national record 59:43 that was set during the 2007 Houston Half Marathon, however, 10 miles (16.2K) into the race it was apparent that he was not. He ran almost the entire way at the same controlled pace, over the out-and-back course.
Galen clocks 60:22 for the half!
— Eugene Marathon (@EugeneMarathon) October 30, 2020
Suguru comes through in 61:15. pic.twitter.com/ODtskp7xE8
The Eugene Marathon organisers set the course and ensured that it is certifiable for standards and records.
Rupp won the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February in Atlanta. He is the 2012 London Olympic silver medallist in the 10,000-metre event and the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist in the marathon.
Osako finished third in the 2018 Chicago Marathon and fourth in the 2020 Tokyo Marathon. The 29-year-old owns a half-marathon best of 61:13 and a marathon best of 2:05:29 from May of this year in Tokyo. He is also the Japanese record holder in the 3000m and 5000m events.
He finished in 61:15, two seconds off his own personal best.