The Early Years
2010Established in 2010, the Tokyo Half Marathon is now 16 years old. From its first edition in Tokyo, it has evolved into a race that reflects the character of its host region in Japan.
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Course & Elevation
The Tokyo Half Marathon starts in Shinjuku and finishes at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, traversing some of Tokyo's most iconic neighborhoods. The course passes through Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, and runs along the Sakura-dori avenue, offering urban scenery throughout. The flat, fast course is perfect for personal records with minimal elevation change.
Surface: road Profile: Flat
Weather
Temperature 10°C
Humidity 55%
Rain Chance 25%
Cool, crisp winter weather typical of Tokyo in January. Occasional rain but generally clear with low humidity, making it ideal running conditions.
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The Race
Tokyo
Race Lore
The Course Record
2020The fastest time ever recorded at the Tokyo Half Marathon is 01:00:35, set by Kibiwott Kandie in 2020. Every year, new contenders line up hoping to challenge that mark on the streets of Tokyo.
The Fast Lane
Runners come to the Tokyo Half Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Tokyo has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.
The Lottery
Getting into the Tokyo Half Marathon is a race before the race. The entry lottery draws far more applicants than available spots, and the notification email — accepted or rejected — has become an annual ritual that defines the running calendars of thousands.
The Crowd Energy
With 30,000 finishers and spectators lining the course deep, the Tokyo Half Marathon generates an atmosphere that carries runners through the hard miles. The crowd support in Tokyo is not polite applause — it's visceral, personal, and often the difference between hitting the wall and breaking through it.
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Course Record
01:00:35
Kibiwott Kandie (2020)
Registration
Registration Opens September
Registration Closes October
Entry Cost ¥10,000-¥12,000
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Fun Facts
- ▸ The Tokyo Half Marathon is one of Asia's largest half-marathons, attracting over 30,000 runners from around the world each January.
- ▸ The course features the iconic Meiji Shrine, one of Tokyo's most important Shinto shrines, as runners pass through the sacred grounds early in the race.
- ▸ The lottery system receives over 200,000 applications annually, making it one of the most competitive races to secure an entry slot.
- ▸ The race has been held every January since 2010 and typically takes place on the second Sunday of the month.
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