Held in March in the capital of Japan – a country obsessed with long distance running – the Tokyo marathon is one of the most enticing marathons on the planet.
Where can I do parkrun this Christmas EVA Air Marathon: A runners gateway to Taipei on the streets of Tokyo, with Kenya's Benson Kipruto storming to a men's victory in a time of 2:02:16 and Ethiopia's Sutume Asefa Kebede setting a new women's mark of 2:15:55. Flat and fast, the race also attracts up to 38,000 amateur marathon runners from around the world, befitting the event's official theme of unity.
If you'd like to take on the Tokyo Marathon for yourself next spring, here's everything you need to know.
What is the Tokyo Marathon?
The Tokyo Marathon joined the Runners World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network in 2012, making it the sixth and most recent addition to the series. In addition to the traditional 26.2-mile course, which hosts 38,00 runners, the Tokyo event includes a unique 10.7km race, which accommodates a further 500 participants.
The Tokyo Marathon is extremely popular, with applications sometimes exceeding available spots tenfold. Not only a hotbed for runners, it also attracts as many as 2 million spectators annually – that’s 15% of Tokyo’s population.
Around ten thousand volunteers are onboarded each year, too, to keep operations ticking over smoothly. There’s no wonder that the Tokyo Marathon is known for its slick and efficient nature.
When is the Tokyo Marathon and what time does it start?
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon will take place on Sunday 2 March.
The race kicks off with wheelchair competitors, who will start at 9.05am. Runners, both for the marathon and 10.7k, will follow in quick succession at 9.10am.
You’ll find your corral number on your bib, which will let you know which wave you’re running in and your start time.
What is the route of the Tokyo Marathon?
The course takes you from the Shinjuku district towards Suidobashi, which is known for its Tokyo Dome stadium and entertainment zone.
Next on the trail is Ueno-hirokoji, home to one of the city’s most famous parks and recreational hubs. From there, you’ll head to Kanda, where you can enjoy sights of the area's traditional architecture.
After the Nihombashi Bridge and Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate, you’ll hit the halfway point at Ryogoku, which is famous for its sumo wrestling.
In the second stretch, you’ll pass Monzen-nakacho, where you’ll see a mixture of modern and traditional architecture. After passing shopping district Ginza, charming Tamachi and wonderfully green Hibiya, you’ll finally finish the race at Tokyo Station.
Where is the marathon start line?
The Tokyo Marathon start line can be found at the Metropolitan Government Building, 2-chōme-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan.
With its two turrets exceeding 240 metres, it’s not a building you can miss easily, even in skyscraper-dense Tokyo.
The easiest way to access the start area is on foot or via public transport – your race pack will include a travel pass for marathon day. The closest stations are Shinjuku Station and Nishi-Shinjuku Station.
Where can I drop off my bag before the race?
When you reach the entrance to the start area, you’ll be given the choice to use the baggage storage service, which costs 10 USD (around £8). Make sure to select the right option as changes can’t be made later on. The pick-up location will be specified in your runner’s handbook.
Where and when is the race expo? When can I pick up my bib?
The Tokyo Marathon expo can be found at the Tokyo Big Sight South Exhibition Halls, 3-11-1 Ariake, Koto, Tokyo.
The 2025 expo is open on Thursday 27 February (10am-9pm), Friday 28 February (10am-9pm) and Saturday 1 March (10am-6pm). Keep in mind that last entry to expo is half an hour before closing time.
Will there be nutrition and water on the course?
There are various water and energy drink stations along the Tokyo Marathon route. Conveniently, volunteers giving out water will be wearing blue jackets, while those offering energy drinks will have orange ones. Fruit, jelly pouches and even bread will also be available throughout the course.
Is there a race cut-off time?
The cut-off time is 4:10pm sharp, which is seven hours after the race begins.
How do I defer my place if I’m injured?
Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to get a refund or defer your place if you can no longer run the Tokyo Marathon.
How do I enter the 2025 Tokyo Marathon?
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