Six Stars For Tokyo

This year, the city welcomed 38,000 runners from all over the world, increasing the participation by 2,000 runners from the year before.

Tokyo is also one of the World Marathon Majors, joining the list in 2012. Runners that complete marathons in all 6 World Marathon Majors are considered six star finishers, and since 2016, have been awarded a Six Star Finisher medal. With the other 5 races in Europe and America, Tokyo remains the sole Asian representative, no better place to get your first start than in Tokyo!

Oversubscribed by close to 10 times annually, anyone that receives their acceptance to run in Tokyo is already a winner by most accounts! Runners start at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, with a route that takes them past famous districts such as Nohombashi and Hibiya, and iconic landmarks such as the Asakusa gates and temple, Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace. The route also brings runners through the main shopping district of Ginza for a truly unique experience before ending at Tokyo Station, effectively the center of city. While many may have been to Tokyo before, seeing these areas from the sidewalks is a whole different experience compared to running through them on the streets!

This year’s race saw runners line up at 5.7ËšC weather with a light rain that persisted through most of the race, however, there was nothing gloomy about the race with massive amounts of support for the runners along the route provided by thousands of volunteers. Apart from stations providing water and sports drinks, bananas and other snacks to keep runners going, stations at 27km and 38km were also giving out Umeboshi (pickled plum), as they say, only in Japan!

Participating too, were hundreds of runners that took their love of cosplay to the marathon, running as a samurai, an anime princess, and even a gothic Micky and Minnie Mouse pair. All in good fun, till you realize that though in costume, many are serious runners and were putting up solid timings.