TOKYO / JAPAN / FOUNDED 2007

Tokyo Marathon

Flat, fast and impeccably organised — the only major in Asia, run through the heart of old and new Tokyo.

First run 2007 and added to the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2013. Tokyo is the opening race of each Majors calendar year and has hosted Eliud Kipchoge's Asian record pursuit.
Ballot opens
Aug 1, 2025
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
Aug 14, 2025
Last day to submit
Passed
Draw / results
Sep 1, 2025
Winners notified
Passed
Race day
Mar 1, 2026
March 1, 2026
Passed
CLOSED AUG 14, 2025 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
Medal · 2025 Tokyo Marathon 2025 finisher medal — the Abbott World Marathon Major medal awarded at Tokyo Station
Climate

Past three years on race day

Historical conditions on the course — what to expect, what to pack.

2025 EDITION
14°
Sunny
HI 21° LO 8°

Warmer than usual · sun beat hard at the back of the field

2024 EDITION
8°
Sunny
HI 13° LO 2°

Cool, dry, near-textbook conditions · stable winds all morning

2023 EDITION
9°
Sunny
HI 13° LO 4°

9°C at the gun · light breeze · classic crisp Tokyo morning

Course·2025 route

Point-to-point — Shinjuku to Tokyo Station

Course · 2025 View full route → TOKYO 42.195KM · FLAT, FAST
Shinjuku → Tokyo Station Cool, 5–12°C
Elevation

Course profile

Famously flat — almost no sustained climbing. The course descends gently out of Shinjuku, runs the long Chuo-dori straight, and finishes near sea level by Tokyo Station.

Total ascent·55m
Total descent·102m
Highest point·54m @ 0 km
Qualifying

How you get in

General entry is by lottery. Priority entry is available to runners with a sub-elite qualifying time.

LOTTERY CLOSED AUG 14, 2025 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
~10%
38,000 bibs · lottery
Applications closed
SEMI-ELITE
M2:21 W2:52
Sub-elite priority entry only
Photos

On the course

Scenes from the 2025 edition — the finish outside Tokyo Station and the crowds along Chuo-dori.

Tokyo Marathon 2025 finish line at Tokyo Station — point-to-point course from Shinjuku
Finish · 2025
Tokyo Marathon 2025 spectators along Chuo-dori cheering runners through central Tokyo
Crowd · 2025
FAQ

Common questions

When is the 2026 Tokyo Marathon?

The 2026 Tokyo Marathon runs on Sunday, March 1, 2026. It is the opening race of the Abbott World Marathon Majors calendar each year.

What are the odds of getting into the Tokyo Marathon lottery?

Tokyo's general ballot has roughly 10% odds — around 300,000 applicants compete for approximately 30,000 ballot bibs. Secondary draws, semi-elite entries, and the Abbott Six Star lottery improve your chances.

When does the Tokyo Marathon lottery open?

The general entry ballot typically opens in early August the year before the race. The 2026 edition window ran August 1–14, 2025, with results drawn September 1, 2025.

Can I qualify for the Tokyo Marathon with a fast time?

Yes. Semi-elite qualifying times of 2:21 (men) and 2:52 (women) unlock priority entry that bypasses the general ballot. Charity bibs are also available via the Run with Heart program (≈¥100,000 minimum).

Is Tokyo the only Abbott World Marathon Major in Asia?

Yes. Tokyo is the only Major in Asia. It was added to the original five Majors in 2013, becoming the sixth. Sydney was added in 2025 to bring the total to seven.