we lost yukinori yoshida this hour when he could not get back in time.

so now there are 26 runners steadily closing on 300 miles

less than a marathon away.

.

the distance bell had been mostly quiet the first couple of days.

not surprising when you consider the credentials of the athletes in this field.

but it has been doing a lot of business today and especially tonight

as the best in the world are making each other better.

the results show the value of competition.