Tokyo Marathon

Expo had 2+ hour wait lines...located in an industrial section of Tokyo. Poor website. No app to download race day tracking. Hot day resulted is a mess at the water stops. I had to wait in line, as it is custom, for my one water cup. 2 mins lost at each water stop. Many runners I heard claimed lost time of 20+ mins off expected race time. Forgot potty potties on the course...add 10 min wait to each potty stop. Finish line was uneventful. Crowds were polite but no one claps...they just smile and wave. Cultural but odd. The MOST expensive medal I have ever worn for the least memorable race.

Arrived in Tokyo on the Thursday. With this being the first full field post covid race there was a lot of covid precautions, I won't comment on these as hopefully they won't be in place in the future. The number pick up on the Thursday was very poor, long lines and very poorly managed, I did here that this improved a little on the following days. All I can say about the expo is that it was the worst I have ever visited, crazy long lines to buy a T-shirt and line for asics shop was even longer. Race day was very well organised but not been allowed to bring water bottle belt with you was a bit disappointing. The course was the flattest I have ever run and the roads are so smooth such a pleasure to run on. The course is a little boring lots of skyscrapers. The support was different to European or American races, lots of people but not as loud, very little music on the course, its a very quiet marathon, but to be honest that was quite nice, you dont want every race to be the same. Finish line also was quiet. Overall opinion would be its an interesting experience, embrace the difference and if your aiming for a PB its a great course.

I ran my personal worst marathon in Tokyo on a cold & rainy Sunday. The baggage deposit was efficient & well organised, but it was already raining & runners at my corral had to wait 40 mins in the rain with our raincoats on. The temp was 5-8°C & the rain lasted the whole day. The Start was at Shinjuku's Metropolitan Government Bldg & Finish at Gyoko-dori, Tokyo Station. Tokyo Marathon Expo, the biggest running trade-show in Japan, was held at Obaida, a major commercial, residential, and popular shopping & sightseeing destination. Bib collection was crowded but orderly. The Tokyo Marathon Family & Friendship Runs were held in Obaida, near the Expo on Saturday. The weather was perfect with clear blue skies the day before the full marathon. The course of the marathon was mostly flat, running from Kanda, Nihombashi, Asakusa, Ryogoku, then through their high-end shopping district Ginza & Hibiya before finishing at Tokyo Station. Distance markers & drinks stations were accurately placed and thankfully, spectators turned up in droves despite the rain. Toilet facilities were regular but the queues were long and the rain didn't help the bladder. The main encouragement for me on that utterly wet day was the fantastic cheer support & their locals chipped in to provide fruits & pastries, Pepsi & beers, hot miso & red bean soups for runners. There were many students volunteers & company groups assisting, & and first aiders on bicycles & their AEDs. The Finish Point was an anti-climax with just the electronic floor mats, and no one to shout your name or wear a medal round your neck. We had to bear the drizzle & winds to walk another 200m to receive our medals, towels, drink & small goody bag; then another 100m to the baggage collection. The men's & women's changing rooms were rudimentary shelters without doors. And walking to the nearest Tokyo Train Station was another 400m. Runners are reminded to bring a change of dry clothes & foot wear to retrieve at the end-point baggage collection area as Tokyo's weather is unpredictable at this time of the year.