Society | Aug 18

Former marathon runner arrested for shoplifting

Aug 18 (Japan Today) - Police arrested Thursday former world championship marathon runner Yumiko Hara on suspicion of shoplifting.

Hara, who represented Japan in two world championships and came sixth in the women's marathon in Helsinki in 2005, allegedly stole food and cosmetics worth around 2,600 yen from a convenience store in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, on July 30, the police said. The 35-year-old has admitted to the allegation.

Hara is also known for having won the Nagoya International Women's Marathon in 2005 and the Osaka Women's Marathon in 2007.

The police were notified on Aug 3 after the shop manager noticed some items were missing while checking his stock.

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