PokeEarn Interview Yoko Nakano | PokeEarn Official Site | PokeEarn

Astonishingly, Nakano took up running at age 70. She chose it as a sport to replace the skiing she had enjoyed since her younger days.

"With skiing, I traveled abroad too and enjoyed it plenty. Continuing skiing from here on would be difficult financially as well, but with running all you need are your shoes, and I thought I could keep it up for a long time. The fact that there was a running course along the Tama River close to my home was another reason I started running."

Nakano is also known for the beauty of her running form, which she says comes from having learned through skiing that "to improve, the basics are what matter above all."

"I started by attending a running class to properly learn the basics. I especially made a point of running with correct form, and even now I pay attention to my form."

And just half a year after starting running, at 71, she made her full marathon debut at the 2006 Honolulu Marathon, achieving the remarkable feat of finishing in 4 hours, 44 minutes, 44 seconds.

"My impression was that it went surprisingly smoothly. I thought, maybe I'm actually suited to the marathon, maybe I can run even faster."

Learning about masters athletics events, where runners of all ages can take part, Nakano also began entering middle- and long-distance track events.

"My first event was in Tokyo, and I entered because I was so happy to be able to run in the National Stadium. In masters athletics, even 100-year-olds are active, so I felt I'd found a really good goal."

At age 74 she set a personal-best full marathon of 3 hours, 50 minutes, 18 seconds at the Hokkaido Marathon. At 76 she completed the Lake Saroma 100km Ultramarathon. And starting with the 2017 Tokyo Marathon and the 2018 World Masters Athletics Championships, she has set numerous age-group records in the full marathon and track events, astonishing everyday runners.

"Even now, runners often call out to me, and it's a great encouragement. Being able to become friends with all sorts of people is the appeal of running."

That said, as the years pile up, your times inevitably decline. How has Nakano, now 89, maintained her motivation when her results aren't improving?

"If you accept your slower self, telling yourself, this is my running now, you can run with enjoyment. For about three years after I started running, my records improved dramatically, but ever since then I've trained with the goal of keeping my running ability from declining as much as possible."

Nakano graduated from the Tokyo Marathon with her finish in 2023.

"I enjoyed the Tokyo Marathon to the fullest, so I graduated from it. It's not that I've graduated from all full marathons, though."

Nakano is now graduating, one by one, from the memorable events she has run over the years. In June 2025 she said goodbye to the Rishiri Island Circuit Yuyuranjin G, an event she loved so much she entered it 11 times.

"At this age, traveling is a lot of work, so I gave my farewell greeting, saying, 'Thank you for everything up to now,' and graduated. It's an event where you feel a joy like a class reunion. I'm glad I was able to finish safely at the end too. (laughs)"

She plans to make a final farewell visit in 2026 to the Tegnuma Eco Marathon, the half marathon she first entered at age 70. That was the event where she broke two hours at the time and gained real confidence heading toward the Honolulu Marathon.

"I still have the commemorative event T-shirt that was handed out to participants back then. Next year I want to wear it, run Tegnuma, and give my final farewell greeting."

While she graduates from various races, she also holds a big goal in the full marathon.

"I turn 90 this December (2025). When I do, I want to set the world record for the 90s age group in the full marathon (W90, women 90 to 94). It looks like the record for this age group could be broken without running all that fast, but if I'm going to enter, I want to run a good time. Once I set the world record, I intend to retire from full marathons."

After graduating from full marathons, she is reportedly thinking mainly of competing in track events. Even if the time comes when she graduates from all events, she has no intention of quitting as a runner.

"There's a running course along the Tama River nearby, and Ikegami Honmonji Temple with its slopes, so I'd like to keep running as long as I can, combining it with exercise and visits to the temple."