Naoko Takahashi


Naoko Takahashi is a Japanese long-distance runner competing mainly in the marathon.

Biography

She is widely known for her victory in the women's marathon at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, a performance that held the Olympic record until 2012 in London. At the 2001 Berlin Marathon, Takahashi became the first woman to break the 2 hour 20 minute barrier while setting a world record. In the women's marathon event, she still holds the 7th best time and the 3rd best Japanese marathon performance behind Yoko Shibui and Mizuki Noguchi. She is related to former Morning Musume leader Hitomi Yoshizawa. She announced her retirement in October 2008.
Following her retirement the Gifu Seiryu Half Marathon was launched in 2011 with the honorary title being the Naoko Takahashi Cup. She serves as the chairwoman for the race.

Achievements

DateEventTimeNote
Jan. 1997Osaka International Women's Marathon2:31:327th place
Mar. 1998Nagoya International Women's Marathon2:25:481st place, Japanese record at the time
Dec. 1998Bangkok Asian Games2:21:47gold medal, Japanese record at the time
Mar. 2000Nagoya International Women's Marathon2:22:191st place
Sep. 2000Sydney Olympics2:23:14gold medal, Olympic record at the time
Feb. 2001OHME Marathon 1:41:57Japanese record at the time
Sep. 2001Berlin Marathon2:19:461st place, World Record at the time
Sep. 2002Berlin Marathon2:21:491st
Nov. 2003Tokyo International Women's Marathon2:27:212nd
Nov. 2005Tokyo International Women's Marathon2:24:391st
Nov. 2006Tokyo International Women's Marathon2:31:223rd
Mar. 2008Nagoya Marathon2:44:1827th