Japan runners head for London race

Nine Japanese runners hoping to qualify for the World Championships have been handed entry to the London marathon after the devastating earthquake and tsunami wrecked their preparations. The nine women were due to compete in a marathon in Nagoya earlier this month, the final selection race for the Japanese women's marathon squad at this summer's championships in Daegu, South Korea. The Nagoya event was cancelled following the disaster, leaving the Japanese hopefuls struggling to qualify for the team before London Marathon officials offered to help, officials said. The Japan Association of Athletic Federations (JAAF) subsequently chose London as a replacement trial World Championships trial. "We have all watched with horror the devastating scenes from Japan and we send our sympathies and condolences to our friends and colleagues there," London Marathon Race director David Bedford said. "On hearing the Nagoya International Women's Marathon had been cancelled, we immediately offered our support to the Japan Association of Athletic Federations. "The JAAF asked us to assist by providing places to some of its runners and we are delighted to add nine elite Japanese athletes to our elite women's field." Yuri Kano, Mizuho Nasukawa, Yurika Nakamura, Madoka Ogi, Yoshiko Fujinaga, Yukari Sahaku, Azusa Nojiri, Noriko Matsuoka and Risa Shigetomo will now take part in London on April 17, with four places on the team up for grabs.