Yuka Ando, who set a new Japanese women's record for first marathon attempt in 2017 at Nagoya Women’s Marathon, is currently attracting a lot of attention. We asked Yuka, who competed in the 10,000m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and also competed in the 2017 and 2025 World Athletics Championships, to share what races she remembers and what things were the most interesting and memorable from her participation in the Tokyo Marathon.
What was the reason for you taking up track and field?
“It was the influence of Naoko Takahashi, who, like me, is from Gifu Prefecture. I was in first grade of elementary school when Ms. Takahashi won the gold in the women’s marathon at Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The whole town was celebrating her accomplishment, and even us kids were totally enthralled by her achievement. I was always good at running, but in junior high school I was first interested in handball because that’s what my older brother played. But when I really thought about it, I wasn’t actually very good at ball sports. And since the handball team had so many members, I figured I would never be a regular member… so I joined the track and field team.”
What was it like when you actually started doing track and field?
“In my head, I kept telling myself, ‘I want to be like Naoko Takahashi!’ But long-distance practice and the races themselves were muddy and difficult. Still, whereas short-distance events are determined in an instant, in long-distance events, as long as you don’t give up, you never know what is going to happen, so it’s quite dramatic. And in marathons, you get to run on public roads and there is lots of time for your supporters to cheer for you. That was really the most attractive part of long-distance events for me.”
So your first full marathon was the Nagoya Women’s Marathon in March 2017, where you set a new record for a first attempt in a women’s marathon, drawing a lot of attention.
“I had always wanted to challenge myself to complete a full marathon, and I joined that one through general entry. Spectators lined the sides of the road along the entire course, and they were cheering us on spectacularly. I mean literally continuing uninterrupted for the entire 42.195km. And being driven and impressed by that, from the start to the goal, I was just always in the zone, in a runner’s high. You could say I was just fearlessly doing the work. I was truly shocked when I saw my time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, 36 seconds.”
Achieving such a brilliant debut, you were selected to represent Japan that August in the women’s marathon at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.
“My second full marathon took place on the world stage of athletics. But the results weren’t as expected. When I think about it now, I think I became overconfident after the results I achieved in my first marathon. After that first one, I didn’t improve my time for 2 or 3 years. I was always someone who hated to lose, and was just really brash at the age of 23. I sometimes even felt like I was fighting against the world all around me. So I really could not bear my own losses, and even went as far as thinking about quitting the sport.”
What made you not go through with quitting?
“When I returned to my hometown, I let it out to my childhood friend, who had gotten married and was busy raising a child that I, too, wanted to get married, have a child, and live a normal life. To which she replied, ‘It’s an amazing thing, to have such expectations placed on you by everyone, to have found your own path that you want to pursue and to be continuing on that journey’. That’s when it hit me. Not just anyone could attempt these things in the world of athletics the way I was. Having started on this path in athletics, having admired all those Olympians I saw on TV, how far could I go? I still had a chance to shine. And my country was about to host the Olympics. I had a goal to aim for, and there were people like my coach, the team’s staff, and my parents who had been encouraging me. If I were to quit, I decided it would only be after I had satisfied myself that I had no regrets. I’m really glad I didn’t just impulsively quit at that time.”
Your friend’s words woke up your spirit as a true athlete.
“I finally got back on the right track at the 2020 Nagoya Women’s Marathon. The race also served in selecting athletes for Tokyo 2020, but I placed second and didn’t qualify. But I was able to run with all my might and so felt completely refreshed after reaching the goal. I was also so happy to be able to congratulate Mao Ichiyama for being selected to represent Japan. It felt like I was able to graduate from my past self.”
Even though you weren’t able to compete in the marathon at Tokyo 2020, you did compete in the 10,000m.
“The 10,000m at the Japan National Championships that took place at ECOPA Arena in Shizuoka and served as the qualifying race for the Olympics is one that I will never forget. I went into that race determined to get a ticket to the Olympics and, in the first half, it came down to a race between me and Hironaka. In any qualifying race, both the final ranking and beating the qualifying time are important. Actually, even before the race, Hironaka and I had promised each other ‘Let’s go together’.”
Even as rivals with you both aiming for a spot in the Olympics, you had that sort of back-and-forth.
“In the race, Hironaka brought the speed in the first half, and I did in the second, pushing us both to complete the 10,000m. We could feel each other’s motivation, and that was enough to give me goosebumps as I ran.”
Ultimately, Hironaka placed first and you second, with both of you qualifying for the Olympics having met the qualifying time.
“For me, it was a tournament where I took that 1% chance and just focused on that 10,000m event. If Hironaka hadn’t been there, I’m not sure I could have beaten the qualifying time. We were rivals who sharpened each other’s skills as we aimed for our high goals. It was really a race that reminded me of the gratitude I have for my comrades.”
It seems like the true charm of both the 10,000m and marathon can be found in the fact that they are long-distance events.
“Practice and races are both difficult and harsh, so I really feel the power from my supporters. I competed in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 event but couldn’t run how I wanted to, and it was a difficult race. But when it was so very painful and I thought my feet might just stop, it was like I could hear a rumble from the roadside telling me to ‘Go for it!’ and those voices pushed me on, enabling me to reach the goal at Japan National Stadium. Thinking of how that support gave me drive, I want to be able to respond to it by producing real results.”
Tokyo Marathon 2026 was held on March 1st this year. In 2025 you competed, placing 11th overall in the women’s race and placing first among Japanese racers. What are the attractive points and highlights of the event?
“First, it’s great to run the course as it passes through the city center, visiting Tokyo’s famous sights like Tokyo Tower, Asakusa, and TOKYO Skytree. For me, as I’m running, it’s just so fun and I get really excited when I see the Kaminari-mon gate of Senso-ji. And the relatively flat course that makes it easier to hit a good time is another great point. But since there are some subtle ups and downs, it’s important to carefully pace yourself (not get tired) until around the 30km mark in the latter half. And those final moments when your back is to the red bricks of Tokyo Station as you run towards the goal at the Imperial Palace are just amazing! The supporters along the course are also amazing, and you can really feel what you’ve accomplished once you’ve finished the race.”
It’s a fun tournament to watch, right?
“I think it is amazing to see up-close the speedy runs by top athletes, be they men, women, competitors from overseas, Japanese runners, wheelchair athletes, or anyone else. It’s also fun to run a part of the course and do a bit of sightseeing before the day of the race itself. It’s a good idea to go for a run in the early morning when there aren’t that many cars or people around.”
Finally, what are your future goals?
“To show my appreciation to all those who have supported me, I want to compete and medal in the marathon event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. To achieve that goal, I currently do training camps in places like Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands, running 60 km a day and 1,000 km a month. My efforts will not let me down. Slow but steady wins the race. I believe in myself, and I continue to practice every day with the conviction that if I don’t give up, I’ll achieve my dream. So I ask everyone to keep lending me their support.”
＜Profile＞
ANDO Yuka
Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1994. Started athletics in junior high school before advancing to Toyokawa High School, a school famous for track and field in Aichi Prefecture. After graduating, belonged to Suzuki Hamamatsu AC and Wacoal, etc., joining Shimamura in 2024. In 2017, she set a record for a first marathon time for Japanese runners in the Nagoya Women's Marathon. Won the Nagoya Women's Marathon in 2024. Placed 11th in the 2025 Tokyo Marathon for women (1st place among Japanese runners). Competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the women's 10, 000m. In World Athletics Championships, competed in the women's marathon at both the 2017 London Games and the 2025 Tokyo Games. Personal best time of 2 hours, 21 minutes and 18 seconds.
