Ordinary Marathon Heroes: Yuki Kawauchi - The Japanese Office Worker's 2018 Boston Triumph

Welcome to the second instalment of our series Ordinary Marathon Heroes, where we continue to celebrate the unlikely legends of the marathon world. If you tuned in last week, you’ll remember the tale of Cliff Young, the Australian farmer who shuffled his way to victory at the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne race. This week, we’re keeping the underdog vibe alive with Yuki Kawauchi, the unassuming Japanese school clerk who defied the odds and the weather to win the Boston Marathon in 2018.

Yuki Kawauchi didn’t exactly fit the profile of a typical Boston Marathon winner. While elite athletes with their impressive sponsorship deals and coaches prepped for the big day, Kawauchi was busy doing what any self-respecting civil servant does: working. Yes, the man who stunned the world by winning the Boston Marathon in 2018 – the first Japanese runner to do so in over 30 years – is, at the core, a humble school clerk. No grand sponsor logos, no lavish training camps. Just a guy who jogs around the block between filing papers and taking the odd phone call.

Of course, this didn’t stop him from crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 58 seconds, leaving everyone wondering, "How did that happen?" It was almost as if the marathon had been a little too busy for its usual stars and Kawauchi just snuck in and nabbed the win before anyone noticed.

A Touch of Fate?

Interestingly, it was 1987 when the last Japanese man took the Boston crown – and yes, you’ve guessed it, that was the same year Kawauchi was born. It almost sounds like a script from a sports film, doesn't it? The kind where the underdog wins, but this time it’s for real. “I think fate might’ve had something to do with it,” Kawauchi mused after crossing the line, as if the universe itself had been waiting for him to punch the clock and deliver. You couldn’t write it better.

The race conditions weren’t exactly the stuff of a runner’s dreams. Cold temperatures, rain, and wind made it a particularly brutal day for all involved. But for Kawauchi, who'd run 12 marathons the previous year (no big deal, just another Monday), it was business as usual. “For me, these are the best conditions,” he said with a grin, as if running in a mini hurricane was just part of his routine. Others, like Geoffrey Kirui, who was leading most of the race before succumbing to the unforgiving conditions, might’ve preferred a bit more sun. But Kirui finished almost three minutes behind, no doubt wondering if perhaps he should’ve just stayed in bed that morning.

Back to Work (Sort Of)

But here’s the kicker: after winning the marathon, Kawauchi did what any sane person would do – he called in to work. Yes, this surprise victor of one of the world’s most prestigious races didn’t immediately take to the celebratory streets of Boston. He called his school in Japan to ask for an extra day off. After all, someone has to do the filing, right?

Naturally, his school’s response was what you’d expect in Japan – polite admiration and a day of rest granted. No wild parties or over-the-top celebrations. "Congratulations, you did well," the principal likely said, sipping his tea, perhaps with just a hint of surprise that the humble clerk had become a worldwide sensation. "Now, back to work tomorrow?"

In true Japanese fashion, Kawauchi kept it low-key. No parade, no press junkets – just a man who would return to his day job once the post-race buzz wore off. And this quiet approach to his success only added to his charm. In a country that loves modesty, his balance between a normal life and elite sports is something of a marvel.

More Than Just Boston

Kawauchi’s victory may have been the biggest surprise of his career, but it certainly wasn’t his first victory. In fact, this marathon maniac had already racked up five consecutive wins, including victories in Taiwan and the US. And with a Guinness World Record for the most marathons run in under two hours and 20 minutes – 78, in case you’re wondering – he shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, just days after his Boston victory, he was planning to run a half marathon in Japan. You’ve got to admire the work ethic, even if it’s a bit bewildering.

So there you have it: Kawauchi, the unassuming school clerk who has quietly taken the world by storm, showing that you don’t need a flashy sponsor, an elite coach, or a Twitter following to achieve greatness. Just a pair of sturdy running shoes, a few too many marathons under your belt, and a little bit of the universe’s odd sense of humour. You know, the kind that puts a guy who spends his days filing paperwork at the top of the marathon podium.

And if that’s not a triumph of the human spirit, then frankly, nothing is.