One of the world’s Major Marathons
was calling …. and I couldn’t say no.
Japan’s long-distance running history is
impressive and this was their 10th Anniversary Tokyo Marathon so
it was time to join 37,000 of my nearest and dearest friends for an adventure.
And what an adventure it turned out to be!
Here’s my top memories:
And what an adventure it turned out to be!
1. The size of
the event
Not as big as
New York’s Marathon but right up there. The 37,000 were the lucky ones from over 300,000 who applied. Running is alive and well in Japan!
Anytime you have to organise 37,000 people is going to require some precision - and the Japanese are great at that. They are far better at waiting in lines than us impatient Aussies. Lines for toilets, lines for arriving, lines for buses, lines for lines….
Because of
the size of the field it was push and shove the whole way. Never a gap or an
empty bit of road. But they are all so nice about it!
Seriously, this is 400 metres from the start and blokes are heading off to the toilets. No peeing in the bushes in Tokyo! |
This explains why. The pre-race queues for the toilet were loooooooooooong. |
Lines for security. A modern day reality for entering all events. |
Lines for lining up in lines. |
2. The city course
And we're off. All 37,000 of us at once! |
The old and the new. Japan brilliantly on show. |
Imagine running down here at night with all this neon! |
The course
takes itself around Tokyo’s biggest sites. The loop course has a mix of old and
new shown off beautifully. You go past the famous towers on a course rather flat (but
a couple of sneaky bridges at the end). Perfect weather (4 degrees early rising to
about 12)
Tokyo Sky Tower - and see, I'm not the only one who runs with a camera! |
Running down the famous Ginza shopping strip - but no time for souvenirs |
I was so excited to see at least some early season blossom - a Tokyo icon. |
3. The crazy
crowds
The noise was fantastic! |
4 4. The crazy
runners
Forget what you think about bland, traditional corporate Japan, these runners wore
costumes of all shapes and sizes and bought the city to life. They were going
to have fun regardless of anything! Its contagious!
Mickey Mouse? |
This was hysterical. The street-side band were playing the 'YMCA' song and runners were joining in the actions! A bad photo because I am in the middle of the chorus. "Y, M, C, A... it's fun to stay at the.." |
Yep, anything goes! |
http://mashable.com/2016/02/29/tokyo-marathon-outfits/?sf21812067=1#lgWHNIao805N
5. The elites
This was the
final race of the 2015-2016 Marathon Majors Series. It's the 'Grand Slam' of running
events if you like. US$1 million was on
the line for the men and women.
The elite really are just a blur when they go past me. The last guy in the orange singlet (Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa) was the men's winner. |
Here's the video on You Tube. Watch it at the 1:00 minute mark and see an amazing sprint from Bernard Kipyego in 3rd to take 2nd on the line: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/02/29/general/tokyo-marathon-2016-a-great-day-at-the-races/#.VtfGofl94T9
It was also
the Japanese Olympic qualifier so every top class Japanese athlete was out in force. That’s
what gets live television all day!
Australia's own Kurt Fearnley won the men's wheelchair race for Australia. He also won in a final 100 metre sprint.
6 6. The
volunteers
Bananas, and, wait for it ….. bread rolls and, wait for it again, ...... tomatos!
And we made it! |
The post-race runner's area was the best I've ever seen. The Expo venue turned over to become a huge indoors runners fest, with snacks, photos, massages, bag collection etc.
And the post-race gift pack was special. Another tomato, and even a can of non-alcoholic beer!
Summary
Another Major for the bucket list.
Hard to go too fast too early because of the crowds but be prepared for
them - it will challenge your time.
And lookout for the tomatos!
My event ranking:
Organisation
|
8
|
Overall, very
good. Moving that number requires military-style operations – and it was
certainly that
|
Course
|
6
|
Big city road
races are my thing (even though the finish line is a bit of an anticlimax
stuck down on the wharves)
|
Atmosphere
|
8
|
The Marathon owns this mega city for one day
|
Crowds
|
8
|
Excited fans everywhere lifts you the whole way |
Expo
|
9
|
Again, amazing
organisation and a super bib collection process. And a fun cultural
experience as much as anything – even for non runners. The post-event experience was the best ever
|
Medal
|
7
|
Nice. Love the
ribbon.
|
Runner’s pack
|
8
|
Great Asics tshirt and a really nice Finisher's towel
|
Injuries
|
9
|
No blisters and just one black toe nails!
|
February 28th, 2016.