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Nagoya Women’s Marathon now offers the most prize money of any race

The Nagoya Women’s Marathon made this decision in pursuit of greater heights in women's sports

Starting of marathon race

The Nagoya Women’s Marathon announced it would be increasing the prize money for its race scheduled to take place on Mar. 13, 2022. This year’s winner will take home USD $250,000, which makes the Nagoya Women’s Marathon the highest-prize paying race in the world.

The race is a leader in promoting women’s running and as the world’s largest women-only marathon and the only women’s race with a World Athletics Platinum Label. “The goal is to have the fastest female marathoners gathered from across the world in Nagoya,” said the organizers in the press release. “Our goal is to show the talent and outstanding ability of female athletes.” All athletes will also receive an embodied Tiffany pendant, congratulating them on their race completion.

The Dubai Marathon held the record, paying USD $250,000 to the top male and female, but in 2019 they cut the prize pool cut in half, as the IAAF has refused to grant the race platinum label status. The Boston Marathon is the highest paid race in North America, paying USD $150,000 for first place.

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The increase in prize money announcement came during a dark time in Japanese road racing, with most major races cancelled until 2021. “We hope this announcement encourages athletes worldwide and brings positive news to the world of long-distance racing, mass participation events, and women’s sports,” organizers said.

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Canada’s Rachel Cliff broke the Canadian women’s marathon record at the 2019 Nagoya Women’s Marathon, running 2:26:56. Her time was later broken by the current Canadian record holder, Malindi Elmore, who ran 2:24:50 at the 2020 Houston Marathon.

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If you are looking to have your shot at a quarter of a million dollars, the race has opened its elite applications. Any female athlete, who has run under 2:50 for the marathon, is eligible for this race.

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