Kuniyoshi Watanabe 26, of Japan has set a new record for the ANZ Savai’i Marathon.

He ran a superb race yesterday to finish 3 hours 27 minutes 57seconds and in the process set a new record.  He was almost an hour faster than the previous record set by Bobby Carney, 4:24:56, in the inaugural race last year.  

Kuni, as he likes to be called, was one of four Japanese runners in the full marathon. 

The other three – Hiromi Nagae, Noriyuki Arai and Hiroshi Miyazaki – all managed to complete the full marathon in trying conditions.

It was hot.  Once the sun came up, there was no escaping the relentless sun. 

Whilst all of the marathon runners crossed the finish line, there were two casualties of the heat. Two runners pulled out, one out of heat exhaustion. 

It was another fantastic event well supported by the leading sponsors of the race, ANZ and Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B). In the Half Marathon, Tueffy Tuigamala set a new record in 1hr 33mins. 

Ariane Stevenson was the first woman home in that race. 

In the 10km race it was Tini Lapaiali’i who also set a new record at 39 minutes for the 10km run from Fogapoa to the finish at ANZ and S.S.A.B. Salelologa. 

Aleka Freijah was the first woman home in that race.