BLT 193, country 15 complete at the Tokyo Marathon in Tokyo, Japan. A 4:07 finish on a cold and rainy day on a relatively flat, but crowded course here in Tokyo. Very well supported road race through the more central special wards of Shinjuku, Chiyoda, Taito, Sumida, Koto, Chuo, and Minato Cities. Tokyo, it should be understood, is more properly known as Tokyo Metropolis, a city comprised of 23 separate, autonomous special wards referred to somewhat confusingly as cities in English. Think boroughs in London or New York. Fun fact: The Tokyo Marathon used to be two marathons: The Tokyo-New York Friendship International Marathon and the Tokyo International Marathon. They were both run in 1981, and after it was determined the city could not support both races they made it biennial. The Friendship International Marathon was to be run on odd years, and the Tokyo International Marathon was to be run on even years. The races were combined in 2007 under the new Tokyo Marathon banner.
This is TJ. I ran into him at the train station on the way to the expo and we became travel companions yesterday. Of all things I ran into him at the finish today. Small world.
When in Rome…
Runners after the marathon took shelter in the Tokyo Metro station. It looks like a little village of homeless people.
Race shirt
Finisher towel, appropriate for how wet the race was.
The elites buzzed past us.
Dale and I in the lobby of the hotel before the start. Yes I apparently selected the culottes option for my Godzilla costume.
Unbranded rando postrace fleece
Tokyo tower in the distance
So much Mario
Headed into Ginza, the Rodeo Drive of Tokyo
I wasn’t able to run fast enough to get Sailor Moon from the front.
Getting my pre-race rawr on
A fellow costumer. They seemed fewer than I expected possibly due to the rain
And a great idea, a complimentary metro card good for 24 hours to get you to and from the race. Hint to Marine Corps Marathon
Race bib
Post race branded poncho (it’s not clear to me if this was only for folks with no baggage—though try telling my therapist that)
Emil Cheng trying to stay warm. I can’t express how nice it is when you’re in a strange country, and Japan is plenty strange, to encounter these friends I’ve met in my travels. That goes for all of you.
The cocoon tower in Shinjuku. Makes me think of the Gherkin in London
Chip is ready.
Goku
Governor Northam, again “inappropriate circumstances…”
Samurai runner. He follows the Bushido code as well as good running form.
Medal
Sandy repping the Globetrotters
Edo-Tokyo museum in Sumida.
Tokyo Skytree and the Asahi Beer Hall
Choir and hair band guitarist at the start, as one does.
