Tokyo Marathon (東京マラソン) is the largest marathon race in all of Asia, and without doubt the land of the rising sun, Japan, is one of the most marathon crazy nations in the world. The event has about 30,000 places for the marathon, for which almost 300,000 people apply, with final selections based on a lottery. The event is a relatively new entrant in marathon circle, with the first edition happening not too far back in 2007. The weather in also great in Feb in Japan, with a mean of 7 degrees C, ideal for a good run.
Historically, Japan is known for its elite marathon races with very strict qualifying standards. Many mass races are also held throughout the nation. But they are, in most part, separate races that cater to different types of runners. At the present time, no other mass marathon in Japan, with the exception of the Tokyo Marathon, has an extensive elite field, and no other elite marathon has such a huge participatory field like the Tokyo Marathon. Thus, the Tokyo Marathon is a very unique marathon in Japan; it is the only marathon in Japan that matches both the elite field depth and mass participation base of the other major marathons in the world.The Tokyo Marathon is also unique in one other respect. Through its theme, "The Day We Unite," the Tokyo Marathon unites runners, volunteers (TEAM SMILE), and spectators on race day.
The race starts in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and ends at the Tokyo Station. The city race covers the different districts of Tokyo – Shinjuku, Iidabashi, Kanda, Nihonbashi, Asakusa Kaminari-mon, Ryogoku, Monzen-nakacho, Ginza, Takanawa, Hibiya and Gyoko-dori. We will catch a glimpse of the Tokyo Tower, see the packed crowd of supporters in front of Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji, in Asakusa, and feel the positive energy of the volunteers & supporters throughout the whole marathon route. This new race course is generally flat and fast, and the marathon will finish next to the Imperial Palace. Last year, Wilson Kipsang came close to the record, falling short of a minute; but we think this course will see many runners setting personal best times, and possibly a world record set on this course.
Tokyo Marathon Event :
1) Marathon (Men, Women, Wheelchair Men, Wheelchair Women);
2) 10km Race (Men and Women for Junior & Youth, Visually Impaired, Intellectually Challenged, Organ Transplant Recipients and Wheelchair categories)
Date and time Tokyo Marathon start on Sunday, February 25, 2018 :
9:05 a.m. - Wheelchair Marathon and 10km Start
9:10 a.m. - Marathon and 10 km Start
10:50 a.m. - 10km Finish
4:10 p.m. - Marathon Finish
Course :
1. Marathon:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building -- Iidabashi -- Kanda -- Nihombashi -- Asakusa Kaminari-Mon -- Ryogoku -- Monzen-nakacho -- Ginza -- Takanawa -- Hibiya --Tokyo Station/Gyoko-dori Ave. (This course is certified by the JAAF and AIMS/IAAF .)
2. 10km Race:
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building -- Iidabashi -- Kanda -- Nihombashi
(Results are considered unofficial. Finishing place is determined by net time.)
Time Limits :
Marathon: 7 hours; Wheelchair Marathon: 2 hours and 10 minutes
10km Race: 1 hour and 40 minutes; Wheelchair 10km race: 35 minutes
(i) The time limits are based on the gun time (not on the net time).
(ii) The cut-off time will be enforced at each checkpoint due to limited duration of traffic control, security operation and event operation. The runners, who fail to pass through the checkpoint before the cut-off time, will be disqualified from the race. Furthermore, runners who lag excessively behind the cut-off time pace may be asked to leave the course at anytime.
