Some races pull you in quietly, like a whisper. Tokyo is the opposite. It grabs your attention with neon lights, orderly chaos, and the promise of one of the smoothest marathon experiences on the planet.
Quick Summary #
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 March 2024 |
| Location | Tokyo, Japan |
| Elevation Gain | 60m (Official source) |
| Weather | Cool, 5–12°C |
| Organisation Score | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Why I Wanted to Run the Tokyo Marathon #
I’d been curious about it for years. Friends kept describing Tokyo as a flawless marathon, and after seeing progress in my 2023 Seoul Marathon, I felt ready to test myself again. My training block had been solid, including consistent long run training, my confidence steady, and my post-race bakery list… maybe too long.
With flights booked and gels overpacked, I landed in Tokyo with the usual mix of nerves, excitement (here’s how I manage pre-race anxiety), and a healthy dose of carb-hunting motivation.
Pre-Race: Expo, Logistics & Start Line Tips #
Tokyo Marathon Expo #
Tokyo’s reputation for organisation is well-deserved, and the expo proves it. I arrived early to avoid the weekend rush and to save my legs from unnecessary walking.
The only chaos? The merch corner. Some items were already sold out, and runners were grabbing whatever sizes remained. I still managed to score two t-shirts with local artwork and a jumper.
Staying in the City #
Race week in Tokyo feels like the whole city is cheering for you. Posters everywhere, convenience stores full of carbs, strangers wishing you luck.
We stayed at the APA Hotel Nishi Shinjuku Gochome Eki Tower, close enough to walk to the start line. Shinjuku Chuo Park next door made a perfect shake-out run spot the day before.
Start Line Experience #
On race morning, I left just early enough to avoid the cold pre-sunrise wait. I wore a warm layer to donate at the start line and moved through security smoothly.
What surprised me most was the silence. Thousands of runners standing together… calmly. No elbows, no loud music, no frantic energy. Just a collective breath before the effort.
Then came the gun.
Race Day: Course, Crowd & Pacing #
First 10K — Finding the Rhythm #
Aside from the first congested kilometer, the early section is fast — dangerously fast if you’re not careful. Tokyo’s wide streets and flat terrain make it easy to let adrenaline take over.
I kept repeating the same reminder: relax, settle in, let the rhythm come to you.
Crowd support kicked in immediately. Whole families cheering, volunteers bowing, signs I couldn’t read but appreciated anyway. I found space, loosened my shoulders, and locked into my pace.
Aid Stations — A Masterclass #
Tokyo’s aid stations deserve their own paragraph.
Everything is immaculate: gels, sports drink, water, bananas. Volunteers somehow manage to hand you a cup and cheer you on at the same time.
One volunteer bowed as I grabbed a drink. My heart melted mid-stride.
Middle Section — Out-and-Back Energy #
Around halfway, you enter Tokyo’s signature long out-and-back stretches. Some runners find them repetitive; I found them grounding.
Seeing the elite pack fly by on the opposite side is surreal. For a few seconds I watched Eliud Kipchoge glide by like he wasn’t subject to gravity, while I debated if a third gel before 25km was reasonable.
I stayed steady by breaking the race into 4km chunks and keeping my cadence light.
Final 10K — The Quiet Fight #
By 32–35km, the race becomes personal. I realised I was still on pace for around 3:34, but the tiny inclines suddenly felt twice their size.
The crowd carried me through those tougher moments. I even spotted my wife twice before the finish — the perfect morale boost.
Running toward Tokyo Station in the final stretch felt cinematic. Red brick buildings, open space, and a wall of cheering that gives you goosebumps.
I crossed the line in 3:33:05, grateful, exhausted, and already thinking about pastries.
What I Learned From Running Tokyo #
Tokyo isn’t just a marathon — it’s a lesson in how a city can elevate a race.
A few takeaways stood out:
- Consistent pacing matters more on flat courses. With no hills to break your rhythm, you must manage your own effort.
- Logistics make or break the experience. Choosing a hotel near the start line removed so much stress.
- Fuel early, fuel often. A gel every ~6km and stopping at most water stations kept me steady.
And yes, the post-race coffee and pastry hit differently when your legs feel like jelly.
Final Thoughts #
With lottery odds hovering around ~10%, getting into the Tokyo Marathon is tough — but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re lucky enough to run it, take a few extra days to explore, adjust, and enjoy the city.
If I get the chance again, I’d love to connect with local runners and soak in even more of the race-week atmosphere. Tokyo has a charm that stays with you long after you’ve collected the medal.
- Photo by Jezael Melgoza