Kondo Sets Fastest Japanese Time at New York City Marathon

Ryota Kondo, a Mitsubishi Juko runner, finished 7th in the TCS New York City Marathon with a time of 2:07:08. This marks the first sub-2:10 finish by a Japanese runner in New York, surpassing Masato Imai's 2013 record by nearly 4 minutes.

Kondo's performance included a strong negative split, with times of 1:04:09 and 1:02:59 for the first and second halves, respectively. His achievement could influence elite Japanese runners to participate in overseas marathons more frequently. Read more racing coverage.

The result also positions Kondo's team for the upcoming New Year Ekiden, potentially freeing up top runners to compete in international marathons. This trend may lead to more Japanese runners breaking records in major marathons. Related: Sheila Chepkirui Wins 2026 New York City Marathon.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Japan Running News. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.

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What should runners know about Kondo Sets Fastest Japanese Time at New York City Marathon?

Ryota Kondo achieved the fastest Japanese time ever at the TCS New York City Marathon. Ryota Kondo, a Mitsubishi Juko runner, finished 7th in the TCS New York City Marathon with a time of 2:07:08. This marks the first sub-2:10 finish by a Japanese runner in New York, surpassing Masato Imai's 2013 record by nearly 4 minutes.

When did Runner World publish this racing brief?

Runner World published this brief on November 1, 2026. The underlying Japan Running News report was dated November 1, 2026.

Where can readers find the complete original report?

This summary is based on reporting from Japan Running News. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.

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