13 Facts About Shigeki Tanaka

Shigeki Tanaka was a Japanese long-distance runner who won the 1951 Boston Marathon.

Shigeki Tanaka was a first-year student at Nihon University at the time of the Boston Marathon.

Shigeki Tanaka was one of four Japanese runners invited to compete by Will Cloney of the Boston Athletic Association.

At the time, Shigeki Tanaka was 20 years old, and weighed 118 pounds.

Shigeki Tanaka later recalled that people in the United States welcomed them warmly and both Japanese and Americans cheered him during the race.

Shigeki Tanaka won the event in 2:27:45, the third-fastest time in the event's history to that point.

Shigeki Tanaka took the lead on Heartbreak Hill and led convincingly with four miles to go.

Observers expected him to break Suh Yun-bok's 1947 course record, but following his pre-race plans, Shigeki Tanaka stuck to his own schedule; he did not push himself and finished comfortably.

Shigeki Tanaka won the marathon racing in tabi-inspired split-toe running shoes made by Onitsuka, which he thought would give him better traction.

Shigeki Tanaka's win inspired in Japan an enduring enthusiasm for distance running and an affection for the Boston Marathon.

Shigeki Tanaka's win was a landmark moment in restoring the war-shattered country's dignity and honor following World War II.

The race and Shigeki Tanaka's victory marked the beginning of a strong athletic relationship between Japan and Boston, and the beginning of a tradition of Japanese victories in the race.

Shigeki Tanaka presented the Boston Athletic Association with a "trophy of friendship" on behalf of the town of Saijo in gratitude for replacing the stolen medal.