Why Are Japanese Runners SO MUCH FASTER Than Us?!

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Jake Barraclough, aka "Ran To Japan"
⚠️ Train Harder, Not Smarter.
🇬🇧 Documenting my life ‘on the run’ in Japan!

In this video, I’m returning to the race where last year I ran my half marathon pb of 65:27 - a time fast enough to podium in most races in the UK… but in Japan? Ha - dream on buddy! I was left trailing behind in 135th place, which begs the question: Why are Japanese runners so much faster than Westerners?! Let’s delve into the secrets of these marathon machines 🎌

[oscarclaro]

Yuki kawauchi the 2018 Boston marathon winner!

[Nige.]

“Apart from… just feeling completely fucked… this race is going great” 😂😂😂

[TheRealNoobSauceG]

Running next to an absolute legend Kawauchi-san! That had to have been an incredible moment!

[kirkfiel]

135th 1hour 5mins marathon is crazy here in Philippines you can win mostly win all half marathon

[gerardswinley]

Don't get injured bud! You're smashing it at the moment!

[jeanyves]

A lot of burn outs on those High School / University kids running track. As you say, those that get through it are hard and fast AF, but most of the others never run again, even just casually, as they're sick of it and basically have PTSD.

"The Way of The Runner" by Finn is an interesting read.

[adambarker]

I think watching Yuki Kawauchi winning the Boston marathon is my favorite running Youtube video. Partly because the commentators are so clueless. Recommended.

[eurekaflows]

It's not just long distance running, but many other sports like competitive climbing where the Japanese absolutely dominate. Us Asians have known the secret sauce for a long time now: ACTUAL true discipline and relentless hard work. A lot of my westerner friends think they work hard, but when pushed, I don't think any of them actually know what working hard really is.

[jecktongtan]

Another great video! The stats made me humble and train harder!😁 Thanks for the video, Jake!

[sarahtoth]

Japanese/American runner here. Loved your video! Following along for the BTS on Hakone Ekiden

[hiroaono]

I would say this is the perfect intro video to this fantastic channel. Well done Jake!

[samwhite]

so here for the channel blow up pending! so deserved!

[GSoulTaker]

I was again running a half marathon and your new video poped up in my watch while I was running. I thought to myself, " what a great timing for a boost ". And I braked my previous record by 5 minutes at the end. So thanks I guess :D

[kofuzi]

I had a chance to interview Ed Goddard a while ago. Love that guy

[wanderer]

agree! even running casually in yoyogi park, everyone was so fast!!!

[emiliotorres-g.]

As you are saying in the end of your video, you popped up on my feed too and I am glad you did! I am liking the content!

[SnowyCocoon]

Great video as always! That's so nice that you had an opportunity to chat with Yuki Kawauchi!

[gatorainberry]

Aside from their training program, it's their work ethic. With a culture that prides itself to working to death and honor, its carried over to other aspects in their life.

[blengi]

_"between 1990 and 2012 the average height of the top 100 men marathoners in a given year decreased from 5 feet 8.1 inches to 5 feet 6.9 inches."_

The average height of a Japanese man is 1.72 meters (5'7"),
U.K. 177.5, or 5 feet, 10 inches

so about 68% of japanese are around 5 7 versus 45% anglos so maybe 50% more japanese people in the desired height range.

_"A lower body-mass index (BMI) is important for longer races, such as marathons. For example, the optimal BMI for male marathon runners is between 19 and 20."_

of course Based on BMI, more than 70% of US adults are considered overweight or obese. versus Japan which has the lowest percentage of obesity and overweight. with about 20% of overweight (25≤BMI<30) . Again there is about 1 std deviation difference. between anglos and japanese, but anglos 2 std dev from optimal versus 1 for japanese . So maybe 15% versus 45% in desired weight range. or 3 times people with the optimal body weight.

statistically normative japanese pop would be maybe roughlly ~4.5 more likely to possess good marathoning morphology.which adjusted for pop means 2 and a bit time as many elite types


then there's the fact japanese people have a higher proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers compared to other groups which surely aids endurance:
*Study*
*A genome-wide association study found that the rs236448 A allele was associated with a higher proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers in Japanese people.*

[markusmayer]

Love your positive vibes... Despite you being in pain😅🙈. Hope your doing well and things improve. Keep it up 👍