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Tokyo Marathon

Event Details

When: March 2, 2025 (always the first Major of the year)

Season: Winter

Travel Difficulty: Moderate – Tokyo is well-connected internationally but requires a long flight for many runners.

Event website: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/

Considerations: Tokyo offers a unique cultural experience and unmatched efficiency. Budget time for acclimatization if traveling from a significantly different time zone.

Race Profile

Distance: 42.195 km / 26.2 miles

Elevation gain: Elevation gain of 78 meters (256 feet). The course is mostly flat, with runners gaining no more than 10 feet in elevation per mile. The course does have a slight downhill for the first 5 kilometers and an uphill for the last 5 kilometers.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate – Flat course with excellent organization

Participants: Approximately 38,000 runners

Registration & Lottery Information

  • Current registration status: 

  • Ballot Odds: Extremely low – Reports suggest less than a 2% chance.

  • Ballot Sign-Up: Opens in August and closes in early September of the preceding year.

  • Charity Entry: Limited and involves a high fundraising requirement.

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