Released in Japan on November 13, 2003, Takahashi Naoko no Marathon Shiyouyo! (Let's Run Takahashi Naoko's Marathon!) is an innovative sports simulation developed by Now Production and published by Taito for the PlayStation 2. Developed with the full cooperation of Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi and her famed coach Yoshio Koide, the game allows players to manage their own sports club and train athletes to become world-class marathon runners.
The simulation is notably detailed, requiring players to manage everything from mental support and training regimens to developing custom shoes and drinks. During races, you can provide real-time tactical guidance, such as instructing runners on pacing and techniques appropriate for the weather and course. The game even features a mode where your trained athletes can compete directly against a motion-captured digital version of Takahashi herself.
