Shortly before completing the 2023 Chicago Marathon, I received excitingnews: I had secured a place in the Tokyo Marathon, offering me the chance to complete the prestigious Six Star Majors. This opportunity arose through a tour company, which also meant I could share the experience with fellow dedicated runners in a completely unfamiliar setting.
Departing from London on the Wednesday prior to the race, the lengthy flight and significant time difference meant we didn’t arrive until Thursday morning. Upon arrival, we were promptly taken on a city tour before heading to the expo to collect our race essentials. It felt like one incredibly long and exhausting day, and I began to worry about the impact of jet lag on my performance.
Friday and Saturday were spent doing some light sightseeing and shakeout runs, including a local parkrun. However, sleep remained elusive, disrupted further by a couple of minor earthquakes during the night.
Navigating food options in Japan also posed a potential challenge. I try to stick to a specific diet in the days leading up to a race and was uncertain if I could find my preferred meals. Fortunately, a street near our hotel featured a variety of restaurants, and I was relieved to find the pasta I needed.
Race day began early as we had to catch coaches to the starting area. Interestingly, the organisers decided that participants who entered through a tour company were not allowed to drop bags at the start. Consequently, we could only bring what we were willing to carry or were willing to lose.
The hotel accommodated the runners with a special breakfast, allowing us to consume some final carbs before departure.
Upon arriving at the start, there wasn’t much to do but plenty of time to do it. It was a cold morning, so I found a place to relax. I found some steps to sit on, ate a few snacks, and ensured I was well-hydrated.
As I moved towards the starting area, I found a couple of friends. Chatting and joking with them helped ease my pre-race nerves, and we crossed the start line together before settling into our own paces.
The beginning of the race was extremely crowded, resulting in a slow start. In hindsight, this was beneficial as it prevented me from starting too quickly, a common issue for me. After about a mile, I found a rhythm that was just under the three-hour mark.
The Tokyo Marathon course is quite twisty, allowing runners to see others further ahead or behind at various points. This was a welcome distraction, as I could spot elite runners and familiar faces. I managed to see the women’s elite field and the friends I started with twice during the race.
At the 28km mark, I was still on track for a sub-three-hour finish, but fatigue was setting in. By 30 kilometres, I had fallen off the pace and decided not to push to regain it. This race was about finishing and earning the Six Star medal.
The final 10 kilometres were manageable without pushing too hard, giving me the chance to fully embrace the atmosphere and savour the moment.
Crossing the finish line was an emotional experience, marking the end of a five-year journey to complete the majors. This journey entailed running 157.2 miles over 19 hours, 11 minutes, and 3 seconds. To reach these races (and return), I traveled 34,472 miles.
Now, it’s time to consider a new challenge.
markrepton26.2 