Overview
- Osako placed fourth at the Valencia Marathon on Dec. 7 with a reported 2:04:55.
- The time is being treated as preliminary by news reports and awaits confirmation by race organizers and athletics authorities.
- If validated, the performance would surpass Kengo Suzuki’s 2021 Japanese record by one second.
- Under Japan Association criteria, the result secures entry to the 2027 Marathon Grand Championship for Los Angeles 2028 selection.
- A two-time Olympic marathoner who finished sixth in Tokyo, Osako improved his personal best by over 30 seconds from his 2:05:29 set in 2020.