Only A Few Months After Fall, Natsumi Inouchi Wins Beppu Oita Marathon Visually Impaired Category

By Barrier Free Japan, The Mainichi Shimbun

February 4 2024

OITA – Para-athlete Natsumi Inouchi has won the Beppu Oita Marathon, winning the women’s visually impaired category, finishing at 3 hours, 14 minutes and 24 seconds.

Inouchi, who runs for the Mizuho Financial Group and is visually impaired, fell from a station platform in November last year, colliding with a train. She was unable to train for a month due to a right leg injury, and finished the Hofu Yomiuri Marathon in December in 3 hours and 25 minutes.

In an effort to rebuild her physical condition, she ran 480 km in January, 80 km more than usual. 

Whilst her personal best is 3 hours 12 minutes 55 seconds, Inouchi was pleased with her performance saying to The Mainichi Shimbun:

“I did not reach my personal best, but I achieved my goal of under 3 hours 15 minutes. I am happy because this is the first time I have won at Betsudai.”