1. Overview
Tomoe Abe (安部 友恵Abe TomoeJapanese, born August 13, 1971) is a retired Japanese long-distance runner specializing in the marathon and ultramarathon. Abe achieved significant milestones in her career, notably winning a bronze medal in the marathon at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics and setting a Japanese women's record in the marathon at the 1994 Osaka International Ladies Marathon. She is globally recognized for holding the women's world record in the 100-kilometer ultramarathon, a feat accomplished in 2000. Her career demonstrated remarkable endurance and competitive spirit, leaving a lasting impact on long-distance running in Japan and internationally.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Tomoe Abe's athletic journey began in her youth, leading her to become a prominent figure in professional running. Her formative years in Ōita Prefecture laid the groundwork for her later achievements.
2.1. Birth and Youth Athletics
Tomoe Abe was born on August 13, 1971, in Kitsuki, Ōita Prefecture, Japan, specifically in the former Yamaga Town of Hayami District. She started gaining recognition for her athletic prowess during her high school years at 大分東明高等学校Oita Tomei High SchoolJapanese. In August 1989, as a third-year student, she achieved a third-place finish in the 9.8 K ft (3.00 K m) race at the National High School Championships. Later that year, the inaugural National High School Ekiden Championship for girls was held. Abe competed in the crucial first leg, covering 3.7 mile (6 km), where she finished seventh in the section with a time of 20:27, just 12 seconds behind the leader. Notable runners in the same section included Fumiko Tsutsumi, Shiki Terasaki, Kayoko Obata, Reiyo Moriyama, and Eri Yamaguchi.
2.2. Professional Debut and First Marathon
Upon graduating from Oita Tomei High School in March 1990, Abe officially began her professional career by joining the Asahi Kasei track and field club. Her debut in the marathon was highly anticipated and occurred on January 31, 1993, at the Osaka International Ladies Marathon. She delivered a remarkable performance, finishing second with a time of 2:26:27, trailing the winner, Junko Asari, by a mere one second. This race is particularly remembered for a notable incident: during the final stretch, while in a fierce battle for the lead with Asari, Abe was inadvertently misled by a mobile television camera car belonging to Kansai TV, which was running ahead of her. She mistakenly followed the camera car straight ahead instead of turning into the Nagai Athletics Stadium entrance. Asari, who had previous experience running the Osaka International Marathon twice, immediately recognized the correct path and turned towards the stadium, taking the lead. The time and distance lost due to this error proved to be fatal to Abe's chances of victory. After the race, Abe famously commented with a wry smile, "Oh, I thought to myself, 'I really am clumsy,'" a remark that endeared her to the public and significantly boosted her popularity.
3. Major Career Achievements
Tomoe Abe's career was marked by a series of significant achievements in both the marathon and ultramarathon disciplines, culminating in world records and major championship medals.
3.1. Marathon Highlights
Abe's marathon career was distinguished by her consistent performance and ability to compete at the highest levels, earning her a world championship medal and a national record.
3.1.1. World Championships Medal and First Victory
On August 15, 1993, just months after her impactful marathon debut, Tomoe Abe competed in the Women's Marathon at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics in Stuttgart, Germany. She secured a bronze medal, finishing third with a time of 2:31:01. The race was won by her compatriot, Junko Asari, who took the gold medal. While Abe could not keep pace with Manuela Machado, who finished second, or Asari's late surge after the 21 mile (33 km) mark, she maintained her third-place position to earn the medal. This event marked a historic moment for Japanese athletics, as it was the first time in any major world athletics championship (including the Olympics) that two Japanese women medaled in the same event.
Abe's first major marathon victory came on January 30, 1994, at the Osaka International Ladies Marathon. She won the race with a time of 2:26:09, which set a new Japanese women's national record at the time. The finish was incredibly tight, with Abe, Nobuko Fujimura, and Junko Asari entering the Nagai Second Athletics Stadium almost simultaneously. However, Abe launched a decisive final sprint in the last 328 ft (100 m) to pull ahead of her competitors. This victory also marked the first marathon title for the women's team of the Asahi Kasei track club. Later that year, she was selected to represent Japan in the women's marathon at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, but she had to withdraw from the race on the day before due to a foot injury.
3.1.2. Subsequent Marathon Performances
After her initial triumphs, Tomoe Abe continued to compete actively in various international and domestic marathons, showcasing her enduring commitment to the sport.
In January 1996, Abe returned to the Osaka International Ladies Marathon as the defending champion (the 1995 event had been canceled due to the Great Hanshin earthquake). Despite expectations, she faced an unfortunate accident at the start, falling and suffering a contusion to her side. Although she managed to catch up to the lead group by the 3.1 mile (5 km) mark, she fell back after 22 mile (35 km) and finished fifth with a time of 2:28:00. This race was an Olympic qualifier, and she was designated as an alternate for the Atlanta Olympics. However, in August 1996, she achieved another victory at the Hokkaido Marathon, finishing in 2:31:21.
The 1997 World Championships in Athletics in Athens, Greece, saw Abe finish 29th in the women's marathon with a time of 2:45:19. She later attributed her performance to a cold and poor adjustments, stating she ran on sheer determination. Despite her individual result, the Japanese women's team collectively earned a gold medal in the team event. In August 1998, she placed second at the Hokkaido Marathon with a time of 2:31:12.
In 1999, Abe finished sixth at the Osaka International Ladies Marathon in January, with a time of 2:27:05, which made her an alternate for the Seville World Championships. She also placed second at the Hokkaido Marathon in August 1999, finishing in 2:33:45.
The 2000 Osaka International Ladies Marathon, a qualifying race for the Sydney Olympics, saw Abe finish sixth with a time of 2:28:01. Although she fell behind the lead group early in the race, she showed a strong resolve by overtaking Yuko Arimori around the 17 mile (28 km) mark within Osaka Castle Park. Just three weeks later, in February 2000, she competed and won the Senshu International Citizen Marathon with a time of 2:29:09, showcasing her exceptional endurance.
Abe continued her marathon pursuits in 2001, finishing fifth at the Nagoya International Ladies Marathon in March with a time of 2:27:02, despite falling around the 16 mile (25 km) mark, she still contended for the lead until the late stages. In November 2001, she placed 12th at the Tokyo International Ladies Marathon with a time of 2:34:17. Her final recorded major marathon performances came in 2002, where she finished fifth at the Osaka International Ladies Marathon in January with a time of 2:29:16, and then sixth at the Nagoya International Ladies Marathon in March, completing a series of three consecutive women's marathons (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya) within a short period, with a time of 2:31:11. Her final major marathon appearance was in November 2002 at the Tokyo International Ladies Marathon, where she finished sixth with a time of 2:31:11.
3.2. 100K Ultramarathon World Record
Tomoe Abe's most enduring record is her women's world record in the 62 mile (100 km) ultramarathon. This historic achievement occurred on June 25, 2000, at the Lake Saroma Ultramarathon in Hokkaido, Japan. She completed the race in an astonishing 6:33:11, establishing a new global benchmark for the distance. The Lake Saroma Ultramarathon is an official event sanctioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), lending significant credibility to her record. This performance solidified her legacy not only as a formidable marathoner but also as a dominant force in the extreme endurance discipline of ultramarathon.
4. Personal Bests
Tomoe Abe's official personal best records reflect her prowess in both standard and ultra-long distance running:
- Full Marathon: 2 hours, 26 minutes, 9 seconds
- 62 mile (100 km) Ultramarathon: 6 hours, 33 minutes, 11 seconds (Current Women's World Record)
5. Personal Life
Tomoe Abe married in 2006 and is now known by her married name, 河野KounoJapanese. She is a mother of two children. Publicly, she has maintained a relatively private personal life since her retirement from elite competition.
6. Post-Athletic Career
Following her retirement from the Asahi Kasei track club in March 2002, Tomoe Abe transitioned from competitive running while remaining involved in the sport. She currently works at the Asahi Kasei Nobeoka branch in a regular administrative capacity. In addition to her professional work, she actively participates as a guest runner in various citizen marathon events held across Japan. One notable appearance was at the 2008 Tokyo Marathon on February 17, 2008, where she competed as a guest runner and finished 13th overall with a time of 2:56:35. Her continued involvement demonstrates her enduring passion for running and her desire to contribute to the running community beyond her competitive years.
7. Legacy and Assessment
Tomoe Abe's career is marked by exceptional resilience and pioneering achievements in long-distance running. Her bronze medal at the 1993 World Championships, achieved alongside Junko Asari's gold, established a historic precedent for Japanese women in international athletics. Her 1994 Osaka Marathon victory, setting a new Japanese record, further cemented her status as a top marathoner. However, it is her enduring women's world record in the 62 mile (100 km) ultramarathon, set in 2000, that truly highlights her extraordinary endurance and pioneering spirit. This record, recognized globally, showcases her willingness to push the boundaries of human physical limits and remains a testament to her dedication and capacity for extreme athletic performance. Beyond her competitive accomplishments, Abe's relatable personality, exemplified by her candid remark after the 1993 Osaka Marathon incident, resonated with the public. Her continued engagement in the running community as a guest runner post-retirement further solidifies her legacy as an influential figure who inspired many in Japan's long-distance running scene.