1981: The Daily Mail ran a story about an unfortunate Japanese long-distance runner, Kimo Nakajimi, who had entered the London Marathon but, on account of a translation error, thought that he had to run for 26 days, not 26 miles. Reportedly Nakajimi was now somewhere out on the roads of England, still running, determined to finish the race. Various people had spotted him, though they were unable to flag him down. The translation error was attributed to Timothy Bryant, an import director, who said, "I translated the rules and sent them off to him. But I have only been learning Japanese for two years, and I must have made a mistake. He seems to be taking this marathon to be something like the very long races they have over there."
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.

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OMG that is a good one. Once my friends and I had to run the 12 mile run for a charity anyway we ran for 12 hours around the city. No wonder we didn't see anyone else from our clas. We were in 7th grade! LOL!
Posted by Nicole  in  Washington, USA  on  Wed Mar 31, 2004  at  09:43 PM

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I thought this april fools story was hilarious! I wonder if he really did run for 26 days...
Posted by claire  in  usa  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  11:06 AM

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He didn't run for 26 days, because he never existed. You are a classic example of someone who is not a critical thinker, and therefore, a prime candidate for a hoax yourself.
Posted by Brent  in  Florida  on  Thu Apr 01, 2004  at  05:50 PM

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Nakajimi isn't even a name in Japanese. Nakajima, however, is.
Posted by Yumi  in  California via Nihon  on  Fri Apr 02, 2004  at  01:05 PM

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So you think it was funny !
Posted by Kimo Nakajimi  in  Ogoshi  on  Sat Apr 03, 2004  at  01:06 AM

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A real story coming out of the Stockholm marathon at the Olympics in 1912 involved a Japanese runner named Kanikuri, who simply disappeared during the race. Nobody had any idea of what became of him until 50 years later, when Kanikuri finally appeared to explain how and why he went AWOL. He was about halfway through the marathon, when he took some well-meaning spectators up on their offer to stop for a drink. Embarrassed by his lack of discipline, Kanikuri abruptly hopped on a tram and left for home without a word to anyone.
This has really happened!!! In Sweden years after the olympics, people still claimed they had seen him, still running.
Posted by nello  in  brussels  on  Sat Aug 14, 2004  at  06:42 AM

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OMG that is so funny! Im killing myself. LoL. DEFO
Posted by Tosh  in  England  on  Thu Sep 02, 2004  at  12:58 PM

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That is the typical psuedo-xenophobic drivel that only a paper like the Daily Mail would deem intelligent and amusing.
Posted by K  on  Thu Sep 09, 2004  at  04:33 PM

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Fuckin hilarious!!!wat a wind up.If it happened then its a classic man.Ha ha,lots of laughs 4 real.Only in london.
Posted by womatt  in  london  on  Mon Nov 22, 2004  at  09:33 PM

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I agree with K, there is a touch of xenophobia to this which is entirely consistent with the Daily Mail.
Posted by ethan  in  london  on  Thu Mar 17, 2005  at  02:42 AM

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Actually, the Japanese are indeed avid sports persons who have fielded some world class distance runners, especially women's marathoners who have done well in the Olympics. This is such a clever ruse, I'm going to use a parody of it for my April newsletter. Three cheers for the Daily Mail.
Posted by Larry Librarian  in  Colton, California  on  Tue Mar 22, 2005  at  09:21 AM

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to ethan and K, lol do u even know what xenophobia is? obviously not, but its funny listening to people who try to use words that are above them. I personaly think that joke was funny and quite original. cheers
Posted by a touch of sarcasm  in  australia  on  Tue Mar 29, 2005  at  05:47 AM

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Everyone knows that xenophobia is the fear of xenomorphs.
Posted by Corporal Hicks  on  Wed Mar 30, 2005  at  05:18 AM

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To Corporal Hicks: xenophobia is not fear of xenomorphs, my friend, but is fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners. I have no comments to offer in what the Daily Mail has against foreigners, though, as I don't read it. And even the most gullible wouldn't believe that a race can last as long as 26 entire days.
Posted by Amit Parekh  in  India  on  Thu Mar 31, 2005  at  09:23 PM

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Hmm what are you smoking...It is the fear of strangers
Posted by Mizzao  on  Sat Apr 02, 2005  at  08:14 AM

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now that is comedy......26 days
aaaahaahahaha
Posted by Mallory  in  Edmonton  on  Sat Apr 02, 2005  at  08:24 PM

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Amit,

Perhaps you have not read of the famous exploits
of Ellen Ripley? Study, and you shall learn more of what I speak. Her discoveries have been featured in many films, as well.

Regards,

Corporal. Hicks
Posted by Corporal Hicks  on  Sun Apr 03, 2005  at  08:40 AM

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Amit - 26 days running. Forget it! Running has no real skills.

Most nationalities on Earth cannot believe that a single game can last 5 (Yes, five) days - those who in the 'know' call it Cricket! Brilliant game as well and it does not take much to learn the rules - just real skill.
Posted by TrickyDicky  in  London, England  on  Sun Apr 03, 2005  at  10:45 AM

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All this talk of xenomorphs has me wantin' to go on a bug hunt.

Hicks, some of these folks need to get out a bit more...
Posted by Private Hudson  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  06:55 AM

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You secure that #$%& Hudson!
Posted by Corporal Hicks  on  Thu Apr 07, 2005  at  07:20 AM

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