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- The Herd | Edition 31
The Herd | Edition 31
Toshihiko Seko, Adventure Runs, and a Rainy 100m Race in Lausanne
The Herd | Edition No. 31
Welcome back to The Herd! This week we travel back in time to the ‘80s to learn about one of Japan’s greatest marathoners - Toshihiko Seko. And if your runs have been feeling a little repetitive or dull, we’ve got just the thing for you in this week’s tips and tricks. So let’s get started!
Toshihiko Seko
Toshihiko Seko is one of Japanʼs most revered marathoners, celebrated for an extraordinary career spanning more than a decade at the elite level. Rising to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, Seko captured four victories at the highly competitive Fukuoka Marathon (1978 - 1980, 1983), then regarded as the unofficial world championship, along with prestigious wins at the Boston Marathon (1981, 1987), London Marathon (1986), Chicago Marathon (1986), Tokyo and Lake Biwa Marathons. Known for his consistency, he won ten major marathons in total and was especially dominant during a period when marathoning grew rapidly in international stature (1, 2, 3 ,4).
Beyond his victories, Seko demonstrated remarkable longevity, racing—and winning—at a world-class level from his early 20s into his 30s. He set world records in the 25,000 m and 30,000 m distances in 1981 that stood for 30 years and often posted times under 2:10, a standard that defined global marathon excellence at the time. While he fell short of Olympic medal success (placing 14th in 1984 and 9th in 1988), his ability to repeatedly conquer the sportʼs toughest races was legendary. Sekoʼs passion for the marathon was summed up in his own words: “The marathon is my only girlfriend. I give her everything I have,” reflecting his deep dedication and tireless training that inspired a generation of distance runners (1, 4, 5).
Following his competitive career, Seko became a national coach and influential figure in Japanese athletics, continuing to shape the sport as mentor, advisor, and member of the Tokyo 2016 Olympics Advisory Panel. He remains a symbol of both excellence and endurance, reminding athletes worldwide of what is possible through devotion and perseverance (1, 3, 5).
🌍 How to Make Any Run Feel Like an Adventure
Sometimes the same old routes can start to feel, well… the same. But running doesn’t have to be boring—you can turn even an ordinary jog into something that feels fresh and exciting. Here are a few ways to add adventure to your miles:
Change the Route – Explore a new trail, neighborhood, or park. Even small changes spark curiosity.
Run a Scavenger Hunt – Make a list of fun things to spot (a red door, a dog, a mural). Check them off as you go!
Photo Challenge – Stop to capture one cool landmark, flower, or view. It turns your run into a mini memory maker.
Themed Runs – Run to a coffee shop, a local landmark, or even spell out a shape/word on your GPS map.
Bring a Friend (or Furry Friend) – Sharing the experience always makes it more fun.
✨ Adventure is all about mindset—look at your run as an opportunity to explore, not just exercise.
Seville Notches Third Win Against Lyles
A rainy 100m race in Lausanne saw Jamaican Oblique Seville win the 100m in 9.87 seconds. Noah Lyles finished second in 10.02. This improves Seville’s head-to-head record against Lyles to 3-2.
That’s all for this week! We hope Seko’s longevity and endurance serves as your inspiration as you put on the miles. And maybe an adventure run is just what you need to rejuvenate your runs! See you next week!
