The Way of the Runner: A Journey Into the Fabled World of Japanese Running

It is no surprise that Kenyans and Ethiopians dominate long-distance running around the globe; however, it is less known that the Japanese follow closely behind. Finn (Running with the Kenyans) finds that statistically, Japanese athletes are among the best in the world, with a greater number completing marathons with faster times—yet they are not always winning races. Fascinated by these statistics, the author wanted to experience Japanese running firsthand, moving his family to the country for six months to explore the question: "Why aren't they better?" Finn discovers that far more attention is placed on running in Japan than in the Western world. Sports events are typically broadcast on primetime television, often times bringing in higher ratings than the U.S. Super Bowl. Plus, there is a greater emphasis placed on running as a team sport; many perform professionally on corporate teams, allowing runners to continue their career after college without financial pressures.