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Apr 27, 2024

Tokyo Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.2

Organization 4.4

Spectators 4.3

Number of comments: 44 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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D. C. from Shanghai, China (2/29/2012) "Most fun racing in a long time" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 PROS: + Exceptionally well organized from start to finish, from navigating the race expo/package pickup, to the pre-race baggage check and bathrooms, to the water/food stations, to the finishing area. The huge numbers and language difference wasn't a barrier at all. + Lots of signs, numbers and frequent announcements to get runners from the subway exits to the start. I entered the race gates at 8:15 and comfortably got to the start line. (Realized later that there were urinals in another area which would have saved 15 min on the bathroom stop.) + Each fuel station covered a long stretch and was well stocked. + The crowd, although not as loud or outgoing as others I've experienced, were at times four rows deep. + Massive volunteer force + Mostly flat, point-to-point course. I didn't care too much for the big city backdrop but the two-hairpins made it feel very festive seeing other runners pass in the opposite direction. the elites heading back. The one only rise at 37k was over-hyped to me. CONSs - The anticlimactic finish area. The atmosphere was so dead. No call from an announcer, barely cheering crowd (no crowd past the finish), no music. There was such a long, quiet march after the finish line that I couldn't help but think that I'd done something wrong. OVERALL: Outstanding organization, the mass of spectators and volunteers, and the empty streets of Tokyo overrun with runners. I think this'll be a regular for me.
C. H. from San Francisco Bay Area (3/8/2011) "Wow, what a great race" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Tokyo race - I was lucky to have been chosen from 300,000 applicants (apparently because I applied from the US). The weather was absolutely perfect (upper 40s at start, warmed to mid 50s at the end), especially considering that it rained the entire next day - even turning to snow in the afternoon! Very easy access by train/subway to both the start and finish areas. Volunteers were manning the subway stations for the expo and race start to ensure that the runners made it to where they needed to go. I found plenty of toilets at the start and many more every few KM on the course with officials guarding them making sure the runners had access. There was plenty of water and Amino-Value along the course. After the halfway point there were raisins, little waffle-like snacks, bananas, etc. Many people on the street were handing out candy and treats to the runners - more so than the folks who hand out oranges along the big marathon routes in the US. In other words, the spectators really seemed to want to help the runners. I didn't recognize what they were handing out, but many of the local runners were grabbing handfuls of the special treats. A definite must-run marathon if you can be in Tokyo and you remember to submit your application in the fall before the race. The two out-and-back stretches were a bit boring because you saw the same scenery twice, but at least you could see the leaders. It was the longest of my 15 marathons (26.8 miles) - perhaps the large crowds (33,000 running the marathon and 3,000 running the 10K that started with us) and jetlag kept me from correctly running the tangents. The finisher's medal is cool and is in the shape of a cherry blossom. They even let you take a picture at the expo wearing a wreath and holding the first place trophy, so you try to claim you won the race. How cool is that?
G. B. from CT USA (3/3/2011) "World-class mega event" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This year the weather was letter perfect and it is a very fast course. I agree with most everything good said about this event. Great organization for size; I just wish the ending location wasn't quite so far out of the way. Not connected to the main metro line. A long, arduous walk through the various areas to accomplish post-race activities and then continue to the train station.
J. P. from USA (3/2/2011) "Fantastic Organization" (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 In a race with over 32,000 entrants one would expect some glitches... unless the race is held in Japan. Wonderfully organized, and with 1000s of incredibly friendly, helpful volunteers this is an awesome event. Packet pickup on the Friday was a breeze, the course is flat and fast, and we had perfect running weather and a course lined with cheering crowds. Plenty of water stations, porta-potties and entertainment along the way. My info packet didn't arrive on time, which was no problem as I emailed race officials and received via email my bib certificate within 24 hours. I was concerned about running with so many people and was expecting chaos, but I am astounded by how smoothly everything went. I only speak a few words in Japanese but language really was no problem. I do believe priority is given to foreigners, as over 300,000 people entered and both myself and a friend from New Zealand were accepted. And, of course, you have all of Japan to visit and can get in some serious skiing! Many thanks to Tokyo!!
Jack Nowicki from Chicago (3/29/2010) "Great organization. Fast, flat course." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Despite the horrendous weather, the organizers put together a terrific large marathon, comparable to Chicago and Boston. The expo was huge, with plenty of useful freebies. Start and finish lines were easy to get to, and through. My only complaint on the course was the lack of variety - the first 25 miles were totally urban, running along major streets. Good crowds and adequate toilets. Only the last mile over the bridges of Tokyo Bay brought some variety. Highly recommended for the international traveler.
D. Y. from Singapore (3/4/2010) "Well organized, flat course. Shame about weather." (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It's probably the biggest marathon in Asia, and it's superbly organized. Everything for me was hitch-free, from the bib pick-up to the actual run itself. The expo was pretty good, and there is quite a bit of stuff that you can only get in Japan. The weather wasn't that great. It was cold (in the single digits, Celsius), and it was raining most of the way. Coming from a tropical country, it was quite hellish for me. Toilet breaks were mad, as there were long queues at every stop until about 20K in. I guess that's quite expected when you have 32,000 full marathoners running in cold rain. No point looking for a bush, as the streets were packed with well-wishers and supporters looking out for their friends. I got the impression that everyone would rather die from a full bladder than pee in a bush somewhere. But overall, it was a great course - flat most of the way with a couple of bridges at the end. There's a bit of wind in some areas, but nothing too serious. For the sightseeing runners, it passes some of the major attractions like the Imperial Palace, Asakusa, Tokyo Towers and Ginza, so there's something to see most of the way. If it were only a couple of degrees warmer....
Gordon Ludt from Oshino-mura, Japan (3/4/2010) "One of the top three in the world" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was an absolutely amazing experience: an interesting, totally traffic-free course lined all the way with lively spectators, exemplary drink and food stations, really helpful volunteers and perfect organization, from registration, to baggage handling, to the finish area (with huge cedar-troughs for a foot bath!). There were 216,000 applications this year, but foreigners are given preferential treatment. If a marathon in Asia is on your list, this should be it!
J. B. from Ottawa, Canada (3/2/2010) "Amazing organization" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Asia's biggest marathon did not disappoint. While there is a lottery system for entry, it's an unwritten rule that they accept all international applicants. Race expo was well organized, and about as large as that of NYC. Race day was cold and rainy, but there were still lots of fans on the course (the course is all through the city, so fans lined the entire 42.2 KMs). They weren't as loud as fans in NYC, but showed spirit nonetheless. Course is very flat with only a few mild inclines in the late KMs. No wave start, however, so a little crazy getting to the start area (~32,000 runners). Excellent signage on course for water stations, toilets and KM markers. If you run one marathon in Asia, it should be Tokyo!
C. Alexander from Tokyo (10/2/2009) "An Amazing Experience" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very well organized, with tons of smiling volunteers. The course is like a sightseeing tour of Tokyo, with big crowds, taiko drums, geisha dancing, and brass bands. A real festival atmosphere.
Alex Matskevich from New York (8/19/2009) "The best marathon in the whole world!" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Tokyo Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have done 57 marathons so far, including every major international marathon in the world. None of the others even come close to Tokyo. I ran the first Tokyo Marathon in 2007, the inaugural one, and expected it to have some glitches. The organization was absolutely perfect! It was an unusually cold and rainy day, and probably a million Japanese men, women and children still lined the entire course. And what a course it is! I am a New Yorker, and I love New York, but I have to admit that the New York City Marathon has quite a few boring patches. In Tokyo you run through all of the most interesting sights of the city. There is not a single boring minute, with the possible exception of the last mile, when you are running over a flat bridge. Even then, the only supporters allowed are fantastic (though they are merely the very vocal guys and girls at the water stations). The expo was great, the start was great, the finish was great, the course was great, and the entire experience was simply terrific. I never run the same marathon twice, but if I ever break my rule, it will only be for Tokyo! Go for it!!!

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