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Before the Beginning Tokyo Marathon 2015

Posted by Draycat on Feb 23, 2015 in 2015, general, japan, life in tokyo, tokyo, Tokyo Marathon, Uncategorized | No Comments

Unless you’ve ever run a marathon yourself, you’ve probably no idea of all the stuff happens before the race even starts – the mammoth task of organising 35,000 people to line up – all the stuff before the beginning.

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The first task for runners is getting to marathon area. This is a challenge in itself as the underground route out of Shinjuku – the world’s busiest train station – to marathon area can feel like a maze. Without a team of volunteers to help the runners find their way, many of them would probably end up on Mount Fuji.

Finding your way to the runners area is a test of your navigation skill.

For a long time English speaking volunteers were a rarity (how better to guarantee a Japanese winner than to ensure everyone gets lost on the way to the start area), but since Japan got the 2020 Olympics it’s stepped up help and advice for non-Japanese speakers in many areas connected to sport.

Security at the marathon used to be a fairly relaxed affair, but it has become tighter and tighter in the last few years. This year is the strictest it’s ever been, with the introduction of bag checks, in addition to portable airport style metal detectors which they introduced at a previous marathon. Unfortunately, the focus of the baggage check seemed to be more about stopping runners from bringing in their own drinks, rather than anything anti-terror related. Got to keep the sponsors happy. Generally, the effectiveness of the entrance security is somewhat questionable as I managed to get into the runner’s area without a pass (though my bag did get lightly checked and I wasn’t able to bring in any illegal drinks!).

Baggage security check point. They will root out your bottled drinks.

Next comes the last minute preparations, attaching your tracking tag on which records your official time, packing up up your stuff and checking it in the right place so its waiting for you at the finish, putting on your your rain gear, stretching and of course that last minute trip to the loo. And don’t forget the compulsory selfie.

The Mario brothers get ready.

The pre-run stretching – not a pretty sight.

Ultraman asks the way – even Japanese superheroes get lost.

Are you sure I won’t end up on Mount Fuji?

Getting your stuff packed.

The runners’ bags get stored on trucks which then drive to the finish once the marathon has started.

The all-important selfie.

Lighting the load before the marathon starts. Just remember there are a few thousand other people with the same idea.

‘How to put on your costume’ – always good to double check the instructions.

After this it’s a case of getting to your starting point along with 1000s of other people. Again multiple starting points means a lot of scope for getting lost. ‘Team Smile’ volunteers are everywhere to help all 35,000 people find out what they should be doing and where they should be doing it.