Yoshiaki Unetani

Yoshiaki Unetani was a Japanese long-distance runner who competed in the marathon. Unetani attended the Hiroshima Electric University High School before enrolling at the Nippon Sport Science University. While at the university Unetani competed in three editions of the Hakone Ekiden, a two-day relay marathon between Tokyo and Hakone. After graduating from university Unetani worked as a teacher at Takehara High School. In 1969 Unetani won the Boston Marathon, setting a course-record time, winning by almost four minutes, the largest victory margin in the race since 1952.

Unetani ran in the marathon at the 1972 München Olympics where he finished in 36th place. He also finished second at the 1969 Fukuoka Marathon, then considered a de facto world championship event. His other major podiums included winning the 1971 Otsu Marathon, placing second at that event in 1970, a second-place at the 1970 Manchester International, and second at the 1972 Kyoto Marathon.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-12:12 (1970).