Congratulations on being accepted into the 2009 Marathon ! As for tips, let me see. Make sure to get all your race info ( number square, shoe-tag etc ) as directed for the registration, prior to the race. Its pretty easy, even if you dont speak Japanese, as long as you can find your way around Tokyo a bit – which is also not too daunting, having excellent public transport, much of which has signs in English these days.

On the day of the race, arrive early so you can look around Shinjuku and get a feel for the size of the event and starting area – depending on your number, you could be 10-15 minutes jog ( well, shuffle really ) back from the starting line. Bring the bag you’ll get at the registration : you put all your gear you wont be running in in that, and the organisers’ send it over to the finishing area for you, ready to collect after your triumph.

After that, enjoy the race. It’s a great course ( there are some YouTube vids of it somewhere on this site ) and there is lots of support, both from the spectators and the organisers. There are plenty of liquid refreshment opportunities en-route, so unless you have specific needs you shouldn’t need to carry your own. Food though is limited – if you need powerbars/bananas/chocolate/pizza(?!) or whatever best to haul it with you. You can of course stock up on snacks at any of the myriad convenience stores prior to the race, or even in the race ( I did – I even bought some more socks at one.. )

Best of luck !

Paul

I must say…back in 2007, I read your blog and found out about the first Tokyo Marathon…and i was SOOOO excited!! I was about to run my first marathon in Los Angeles, where I live. I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 40…I ran two, and I haven’t stopped since!

Anyway, I signed up for the 2009 lottery and will be heading over to Tokyo in 3 weeks to run my “1st hometown” marathon…San Diego is my other hometown and it was the 2nd marathon I ran. I’m sure it helped that I’m going over as a foreign visitor in terms of the lottery, but I’m SO HAPPY that I’ll be running in Tokyo!

I’m actually pretty nervous…I’ve never run a marathon outside of the U.S., so I have no idea what to expect. So, as Evan requested above, any tip/pointers would be great. I’m trying to think of all the things I should pack up for raceday that I am used to running with (i.e. Gatorade is probably not the sport drink of choice in Japan…Pocari Sweat, maybe?? will they have water stations like they have here?? OH…the questions they are a-many!)

Thanks for this blog…and it IS mid-life crisis…but it hurts so good!

Thankyou for your comment and congratulations on being selected this year. Good luck in 2009. It really has become a popular event now. I hope to start running again soon – I broke my foot at Christmas and have had to stop running for almost a year.

Will try the Imperial Palace route soon I think, even though it is really cold right now.

Paul

This is Kazumi. (I am not sure you remember me or not.)
at 2007 event I ran .
and at 2008 I couldn’t get a space for the lottery.
But at 2009 I got accepted!!!! (Well , for japanese more than 7times for winning the lottery …) I am quite luckey , I think.
Although I haven’t run so long time. ha ha ha
Maybe I should go to imprerial parace to run again=)
Hope I can find you someday !!!