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Japan is home to the annual long-distance running relay, a century-old relay that attracts millions of spectators each time, so it's safe to say that the country is obsessed with the sport. It's no surprise, then, that the Tokyo Marathon is the big day on the Japanese calendar.
The Tokyo Marathon is the youngest of the world's six major marathons. Held every March on the flat streets of Tokyo, Japan's vibrant capital, the Tokyo Marathon is well-registered and also attracts thousands of international runners each year, making it one of the most attractive marathons in the world.
Want to learn more about the fast, glamorous and world-famous Tokyo Marathon 2025? Here are some important points I've compiled for you.
What is the Tokyo Marathon?
First held in 2007, the Tokyo Marathon quickly became a top must-attend marathon and in 2012 became the sixth event to join the iconic Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) series.
Due to the popularity of the event, registrations for the Tokyo Marathon far exceed the number of available places, with the 37,500 places available for the 2025 event attracting nearly 300,000 participants. The Tokyo Marathon is not only a paradise for runners, but also attracts up to 2 million spectators each year, about 15% of Tokyo's population.
The marathon course takes runners through some of Tokyo's most iconic landmarks, such as the TOKYO SKYTREE, the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, giving participants and spectators alike the opportunity to experience the city in a unique way. The race is renowned for its excellent organization, enthusiastic spectators and high level of competition, with many top international marathon runners making it a key event in their schedule.
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When is the 2025 Tokyo Marathon?
2025 Tokyo Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 2nd.
What is the route of the Tokyo Marathon?
The race starts near Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office and finishes in the Marunouchi area near Tokyo Station. The course runs through various landmarks in Tokyo, including the Imperial Palace, Asakusa Thunder Gate and Ginza.
The Tokyo Marathon is known for its flat course and efficient race organization, but runners should still be aware of the slight undulations and turning sections of the course. Detailed route maps and elevation maps are usually provided by officials, and runners are advised to familiarize themselves with the characteristics of the course in advance and develop a reasonable pacing strategy.
How to prepare for the 2025 Marathon?
Create a personalized training plan
Create a 16- or 20-week training program based on your finishing goals (e.g., finish, break 4, break 3). It is recommended that you schedule 3-4 runs per week, including long jogs, intervals and tempo runs, combined with strength training to improve core stability.
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Simulating the course and climate
The Tokyo Marathon course is flat, but the slight ups and downs in the second half of the race may challenge the distribution of energy. In training, try long pulls on similar terrain. In addition, the temperature in Tokyo in March is usually between **5-15°C**, which is suitable for running, but there is a big difference in temperature between morning and evening, so it is recommended to adapt to different temperatures during training.
Equipment selection and testing
Regarding the choice of running headphones for training, consider Nank's bone conduction headphones, our recently launched Runner 4 bone conduction headphone and Runner Air headphone are widely acclaimed in the market.
Related Blog: 5 Nank Wireless Running Headphones You Should Not Miss in 2025
Track Supply and Strategy
There are 15 evenly spaced supply stations along the Tokyo Marathon, starting at the 5km mark. Drinking water will be available at all stations, and the other stations (eight in total) will offer the Japanese sports drink Protonix. To further boost your energy levels along the route, many of the stations will also offer edible supplements.
It is recommended that you hydrate in small amounts at each station to avoid discomfort from over-drinking. Energy gels and salt pills can be brought along and replenished 30 minutes before the race and every 10 kilometers.
How to participate in the 2026 Tokyo Marathon?
Registration for the 2026 Tokyo Marathon will open this August on the official race website. Here you can enter the general ballot or commit to a charity race.
