Tokyo Marathon 2027 is a 20th anniversary event held on Sunday, March 7th,
and finishers will receive a 20th Anniversary Premium Edition Finisher finisher medal.
Participation is based on a lottery system.
General lottery applications will be accepted from 11:00 AM on August 14, 2026 to 5:00 PM on August 28, 2026 (Japan time),
and the lottery results will be announced on September 18.
The competition rate is very high and the probability of winning is known to be around 10%,
so it is best to look into other routes such as charity entry (donation participation) or semi-elite qualification in case you fail.
Packet Pickup must be done in person at the expo held at Tokyo Big Sight before the competition, and you must bring your passport.
Proxy pick-up is strictly prohibited and pick-up on the day of the event is completely impossible, so you must include a visit to the Expo in your travel plans.
Although it is spring in Tokyo in early March on the calendar, it feels closer to winter.
On average, the highest temperature during the day is 10-12°C and the lowest temperature is 2-4°C in the morning,
so it is quite chilly when we depart at 9:10 am.
Since you have to wait early in the morning to complete the security check and check-in baggage in front of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku,
the departure point (if you have luggage, it is recommended to pass the security check before 7 o'clock),
it is recommended to wear disposable outerwear and take it off just before departure.
It is also good to remember that you can only use the official bag provided by the competition to check in your luggage.
Course is a point-to-point course that starts from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and finishes at Gyoko-dori in front of Tokyo Station,
and among World Marathon Majors, it is considered course to be good for setting records.
After passing a small bridge uphill in the first 5km, the rest is virtually flat, and the total cumulative elevation gain is only about 35-40m.
However, since the early part is mainly downhill, it is easy for pace to jump,
so the key to a personal record is self-discipline by looking at the clock and sticking to the goal pace until the 5km.
Course runs through famous spots in downtown Tokyo, including Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Ginza, and the crowds cheering for it are amazing.
For Korean runners, Tokyo is the least burdensome of the overseas majors.
There is no time difference with Korea and the flight time is around 2 hours,
so in terms of condition management, it is not much different from a domestic expedition.
However, since Expo Packet Pickup is only available until the day before the competition, it is best to arrive at least two days before the competition.
Accommodation in Tokyo during the week of the competition fills up early, so it is best to make a reservation as soon as you confirm your lottery winnings.
You must check the detailed schedule and participation regulations on the official competition website.
