200 men break 65 minutes at Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon
Canada's Rory Linkletter ran the third-fastest half-marathon time by a Canadian (60:57) and finished 23rd

Japan’s distance running scene is among the most competitive in the world. The top distance runners are treated like A-list celebrities, and their performances are celebrated by fans and media alike. On Sunday, at the Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon (one of the biggest races of the year), if you ran 65 minutes flat, you would have placed 200th.
Strong runs from three Aussies in the men’s race at the Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon
Andy Buchanan finishes with 60.28 – a PB & goes to 2nd best all-time on the Australian list
5km splits of 14.08, 14.06, 14.30, 14.36Haftu Strintzos takes almost 2 minutes off his PB to become… pic.twitter.com/bUTfiNJLpb
— athsSTATS (@athsstats) February 2, 2025
The Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon has long been known as one of the most competitive races in the world, attracting elite athletes from not only Japan but across the globe. Even the best distance runners find themselves in massive packs for most of the race, making every second count. This year’s edition was no exception, as the depth of talent delivered jaw-dropping results.
The 2024 London Marathon champion, Alexander Mutiso of Kenya, was the top finisher in Marugame, shaving one second off his course record of 59:17. Hot on his heels, four other runners broke the elusive 60-minute barrier, including Japan’s Tomoki Ota, who set a new Japanese national record with a blazing 59:27.
To put the depth of performance into perspective, Calgary’s Rory Linkletter clocked 60:57—the third-fastest half-marathon ever run by a Canadian—yet he finished 23rd overall. Only national record holder Cam Levins has run faster (60:18 and 60:38). The sheer depth of talent in this race is unparalleled; even a 63-minute effort wouldn’t have cracked the top 100. Japan’s Hoshina Yokota, who ran exactly 63:00, placed 134th.
For those dreaming of competing in the men’s field at the Kagawa Marugame Half Marathon, elite qualification is far from easy. Typically, runners need a personal best of 60 to 65 minutes to even be considered for the race. Race organizers set a high level of entry to ensure the half-marathon remains one of the deepest and most competitive races on the planet.
Originally a marathon, the race transitioned through several distances before settling into the half-marathon format in 1997. It was also the first half-marathon in Japan to receive World Athletics’ Elite Label status, solidifying its place as a premier international event. With a top prize of one million yen (C$9,200) for the top Japanese finisher, the stakes are high and the competition is fierce.