About the race
The Tokyo Marathon is a big-city road race through the Japanese capital and one of the World Marathon Majors. The organiser's site lists the 2027 edition for 7 March 2027.
History
The first Tokyo Marathon took place on 18 February 2007, with a field capped at 30,000, of whom 25,000 ran the marathon and 5,000 the 10 km. Before that, the city staged two separate events, the Tokyo International Marathon and the Tokyo-New York Friendship International Marathon, which alternated by year. In 2020 only elite athletes were invited because of the pandemic, with everyone else deferred. Demand for places is enormous: more than 330,000 people applied for the 2019 race.
The course
Since 2017 the route has started at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. From there runners go to Iidabashi and on to Nihonbashi, where the 10 km race finishes. The marathon continues to Asakusa and Koto, where halfway falls, then returns through Nihonbashi and Ginza before turning toward Shinagawa and coming back to Hibiya Park. The marathon finish is at Tokyo Station. Earlier editions, from 2007 to 2016, ended at Tokyo Big Sight instead.
Distances
The headline race is the full marathon. A 10 km race has been held alongside it, and the organiser's site also lists a virtual Tokyo Marathon, a friendship run and family run.
Entry basics
The organiser's site has separate sections for entry requirements, the entry schedule, general entry, charity entry, elite and para athlete entry, and a "win your entry ticket" programme. The details differ by route, so check the site for the current rules, times and dates.
Where to watch
The organiser asks people not to drive around the course area, since traffic along the route and nearby streets is heavily congested. The central sections around Nihonbashi, Ginza and Asakusa pass through busy districts, and Tokyo Station is the finish.
Weather
Early March is the end of winter in Tokyo. Race mornings can be cold, particularly in the early hours, while spring conditions can be changeable. Weather varies year to year, so check the forecast near the date.