The 2027 Tokyo Marathon: A Dream—Registration Opens Tomorrow Morning
The eight major marathons are unlike any other; they are the equivalent of the World Cup in soccer—the pinnacle of the world’s best races. The Tokyo Marathon has been and remains one of these races. Marathon Tokyo was and still is one of these races.
The Tokyo Marathon Foundation announced this week the details of the 20th edition of the race, which will take place in March of next year, 2027, and the details were befitting of such a major event.
The Numbers Behind the Tokyo Marathon
The Race Champion’s Prize has been raised to $170,000 for both men and women, the highest in the history of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors (which will become eight with the addition of the Cape Town Marathon starting next year). This simply means that Tokyo 2027 will attract the world’s best runners and will be the fastest and most competitive edition in the race’s history.
The number of participants will increase from 39,000 to 40,000 runners. However, the acceptance rate for runners applying through the lottery does not exceed 12% at best, as more than 300,000 people apply each year for a spot through the lottery.
What's new in the 2027 version?
The 10.7-kilometer race will be canceled, and its participants will be added to the full marathon, which is 42.195 kilometers long. A new category for runners with disabilities will also be added, and the “Duo Team” category—in which a pair competes, with one running while the other is pushed in a wheelchair, and they cross the finish line together—will remain.
A special race area called “Tokyo Marathon Square” will be set up in the Shinjuku district near the starting line from March 5 to 7, 2027.
The Course: What Makes the Tokyo Marathon Different?
The route starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, passes by the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Market, and the famous Asakusa Temple, and ends in the modern Odaiba district. Over the course of 42 kilometers, it takes you through the city’s different layers: historic Tokyo and futuristic Tokyo at the same time. The route is fast, flat, and has few turns, making it ideal for setting personal bests.
How do you register?
For runners outside Japan (ONE TOKYO GLOBAL):
Registration begins tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, for donors and charity runners. General registration for international runners opens on July 31 and runs through August 13, 2026, for runners registered with One Tokyo Global, and from August 14 to 28 for all other runners. Here is the registration link for those interested. هنا رابط التسجيل للمهتمين.
The registration fee for runners from outside Japan is $230, including taxes and administrative fees.
A tip for those interested: Register for the ONE TOKYO GLOBAL program as soon as you decide to participate—even if you aren’t accepted this year. If you’re rejected three years in a row, you’ll be guaranteed a spot in the Tokyo Marathon.
Is it worth it?
The Tokyo Marathon is not just a race; it is an experience in a country that has always been known for its high level of organization and has elevated race organization to an art form. More than 1.5 million spectators line the course at every edition.
If you dream of completing the Eight Majors, or if you're looking for a race that will give you an unforgettable experience, registration begins tomorrow.
Run… Start your story.
تصوير: تصوير: TheNickster، رخصة CC BY-SA 2.0، عبر ويكيميديا كومنز. CC BY-SA 2.0، عبر ويكيميديا كومنز.
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