Toshihiko Seko

Through the 20th century, Toshihiko Seko was Japan’s greatest marathoner, winning the Fukuoka Marathon, then the de facto world championship, four times, in 1978-80 and 1983. He also won the Boston Marathon in 1981 and 1987 and in 1986 won the London and Chicago Marathons.

Seko was Asian Champion at 10,000 metres in 1979 and also won the 1983 Tokyo Marathon. He competed at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Marathons, finishing 14th and 9th, respectively. In March 1981 he set track world records for 25,000 (1-13:55.8) and 30,000 metres (1-29:18.8). Seko later served as a coach of the S & B Foods Track Team, an advisor to the Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid, and on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-08:27 (1986).