Posted: May 6, 2006

Athletics: Japanese elite runners get inspired by Vienna's Philharmonic Orchestra

Chieko Yamasaki (left), Tomo Morimoto, their coach Yutaka Taketomi (standing behind) and the musicians of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with their pianist Rudolf Buchbinder (right). Photo: Victah Sailer

Chieko Yamasaki and Tomo Morimoto enjoyed some classical music, which might inspire them on their way to take Sunday's Vienna City Marathon. It is the first time that Japanese elite runners have entered Austria's biggest one daz sporting event, which will boost a field of more than 22,000 runners in various events. The major one will of course be the Vienna City Marathon.

Not only the Japanese athletes are a new addition to Sunday's race. Also the organisers cooperate with the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time. This year's motto of the race is: Run Vienna, enjoy Mozart. Running along the 42.195 k through the picturesque Austrian capital on their way to the impressive finish at the Heldenplatz runners will hear Mozart's music.

Twoi days before the start of the race Chieko Yamasaki and Tomo Morimoto went to see and listen to part of the dress rehearsall of the Philharmonic Orchestra. The musicians will be staging a ,Mozart Marathon' on Sunday. Together with their coach Yutaka Taketomi the two runners met the members of the orchestra and their pianist Rudolf Buchbinder.

“I like classical music very much. In former times I did play the piano regularly. And sometimes I do so today”, Chieko Yamasaki said, adding: “It has always been my desire to run a big international marathon in a foreign country. So for me coming to Vienna is a really great story. I have been here before for a training camp and liked it very much. But I never ran a marathon outside Japan before.”

“My aim on Sunday is to win the race and beat my personal best”, Chieko Yamasaki said. So far the 29 year old has a personal best of 2:27:22, which she had run in Nagoya last year, placing sixth. To cheer her on on Sunday her parents have made the trip to Vienna as well. “It is the very first time my parents travelled to a foreign country. They have not even had a passport before. They always try to go where I am racing. I am very happy that they are here”, Chieko Yamasaki explained.

A personal best is the goal for Tomo Morimoto as well. The 22 year old so far has clocked 2:27:46 for the classic distance. She was fifth in Osaka this year. “We have trained very well so we are ready for the Vienna City Marathon”, Tomo Morimoto said. Both will be running in individually handmade shoes. Their names appear on the heels of the shoes: Chieko and Tomo.

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