It was one week before the race at the Tokyo Olympics that I met professional runner Suguru Osako again. The request was for an exclusive interview just before and after the race. Yes, it was the moment when he announced his retirement. For three years since then, I think I’ve been documenting a man named Suguru Osako from a special seat. Once we have decided on a date and time to shoot, I’ll travel to the training or race venue, no matter how far away it may be. Many of the places were outside the country, but I was full of energy.
The day before the practice (shooting), a pin was dropped on Google Maps with the simple text, “Did you arrive safely? Please be here tomorrow morning at 6am.” It’s usually near the starting line for road practice, or at the stadium for track and field. As far as I know, in the past three and a half years, Osako has never been late for practice by one second. When he says “6am”, he arrives by 5:55am and starts running lightly .I think they value discipline. When our eyes meet for a moment at the agreed practice location, we always give a slight nod, recognize the location of the film crew, and start running without hesitation when it’s time to practice. I think he values respect.
Just before practice, there is a unique atmosphere that no one else has. He looks relaxed, but I feel a sense of tension. From here on, a strange boundary line appears that no one can enter.There is only one person who is allowed to cross this line. It’s his coach Mr. Pete Julian.Pete is like a philosopher, and Osako and Pete’s time together makes me feel extremely precious.
In 2024, after completing the Sunset Jokers event, Osako switched gears at an incredible speed. Nagano > Portland > Boulder > Flagstaff > and St. Moritz. He has been building up his training while moving lightly and freelyIt appears that he is trying to avoid getting bored with his favorite sport, and is trying to maintain his passion through high-quality training.
We had an interview while walking together along the shore of a beautiful lake for 15 minutes after practice at St. Moritz、 the final training location.The way back to the hotel after going halfway around the lake. I felt like they respected each other’s time and didn’t waste it.The fact that it was a time when all media was shut down brought a sense of tension. Even though he had just finished practice and was still dripping with sweat, he took a deep breath and answered my questions.
Q There was a time when you retired after the Tokyo Olympics, but you started running again. To be honest, did you think you would make it in time for the Paris Olympics?。
“3 years feels like it’s gone by in the blink of an eye. To be honest, I was wondering how far I could go back, but I think I was able to go back even further than I expected. Rather than saying I was able to get back to normal, I feel like we have reached a point where we are properly competitive.”
Q In the winter of 2021, you trained in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, and suddenly ran in the Nihon Univ. Competition in 2022. About half a year has passed since then, and you are now running the New York Marathon. Did you have a good feeling?
“I think I was able to do quite well there. It’s as planned.”
Q I think I ran the Tokyo Marathon in order to get the right to run in the 2023 MGC, how was the feeling at that time?
“When I was in Tokyo, I was practicing pretty well, so I was back to normal. However, I had to run the New Year Ekiden, and the schedule was different from usual, so I was wondering how things would go, but I think I was able to run well despite the irregular schedule.”
Q It must have been a special time for you, as you were working as a Playing Director, coaching the Ekiden team, and participating in the Ekiden as a runner. How did you manage that period?
“Looking back, I think it was more of an emotional issue. I felt like I was being rushed. Naturally, I was paid to run in relay races and direct the team, so I think I was more nervous than the other athletes. I get the impression that he was using his energy for a special task. Still, I think I was able to maintain my motivation by successfully overtaking in other places.”
Q I believe you are an athlete whose timeline is to run two marathons a year, but have you found it difficult to include relay races over the past two years?
“Honestly, it was difficult to do. If it’s your own body, all you have to do is focus on controlling it. When I want to achieve what I have in mind or what I want to do, I often think in terms of a long term of 3 to 5 years. However, the team was considering a short period of time and wanted to aim for victory right away, so I think it was difficult to make adjustments in that area. Achieving big things requires preparation, planning, and ideas. Still, I think we are moving in the right direction while working together. It was a valuable experience to lead a team while continuing to run marathons as an individual.”
Q What were your honest thoughts when you were qualified for the Paris Olympics?
“By October 2023, I was already ranked No. 3, so I had been training well in terms of condition. Rather than feeling like I made it in time or not, I felt that I was able to grow. However, what I hated the most was the uncertainty of not being able to decide. If someone decided not to do it at that point, I was thinking of shifting to a marathon in which I could aim for a record in October or December, but I couldn’t decide on any goals or plans for that. I was frustrated because I couldn’t decide whether I would be able to aim for the Olympics, or whether I would be able to aim for a race in October or December. I felt great that that was clear and that I had a clear goal. Of course, the Olympics are a big event with a lot of attention, and I’m happy to be able to run in Paris.”
Q You mentioned that you felt like you could have run a better race after running in Boston in April 2024. What do you think of that?
“It was also a time when I was overwhelmed with schedules and other issues, but I think I was able to maintain the current status quo without falling back. I was able to train well and patiently back then, so I think it was a good thing.”
Q I get the impression that he has been constantly changing gears by changing locations, including a completely off-season running event called Sunset Jokers. You go to various places for training, but why?
“I think switching gear is critically important. This time, I think we were able to change the location and take steps nicely. It was necessary to create a turning point and semi-forcibly change my feelings, and I think I was able to do that well.”
Q Nagano, Portland, Boulder, Flagstaff, St. Moritz, and Paris. It’s like changing the car’s gears to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears and gradually increasing the gears.
“That’s exactly the image.”
Q Now that you’re in St. Moritz, with only two weeks left until the race, are there any areas where you’ve grown?。
“I’m always trying to beat myself, and there’s not much that’s different. In addition to the core part, there are many other things I do, such as running relay races, so I think I am growing not only competitively, but also mentally.”
Q After 3 years, Do you have any simple thoughts about the race?
“It’s not like I haven’t been thinking about the race since there’s still two weeks left, but I think I was thinking about how far I could go and looking forward to my first marathon. I’m starting to feel that way right now, so I think it would be good if I could genuinely cherish it and use the remaining two weeks to draw in a positive mindset.”
Q I’m looking forward to it
“Yes! I’m looking forward to France.”
It is hard to imagine what kind of race Suguru Osako will run in Paris. And there is no way to know whether his current condition is good or bad. One thing I know for sure is that no matter whether he wins a medal or not, whether he wins or not, the unimaginable hard work he has put in up until now will show him the best of all the places he has practiced. It’s much more beautiful than those views. And even though I don’t believe in God, I want to support him as if I were praying. Osako, please run through Paris more like jumping than running like usual.
Interview / Text / Photography: Kohei Adachi