4700 run in Nagoya

Nagoya Women’s Marathon
Sun 14 March 2021

The Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2021 went ahead as scheduled on Sunday 14 March. The World Athletics Platinum Label road race and the largest women’s marathon in the world was the first mass participation distance race to be held in Japan since the Covid-19 pandemic started. Despite the unfavourably strong wind 4704 women, from top elite athletes to general runners, participated in the race through the streets of Nagoya.

Mizuki Matsuda, a reserve for Japan’s marathon team for the Tokyo Olympic Games, headed the race throughout and won her first victory in the race in 2:21:51. 4650 finishers filled the venue with smiling faces when they received the Tiffany & Co.’s event-exclusive finisher pendant, known as the symbol of the Nagoya Women’s Marathon.

A total of 15,000 personnel were involved in the event, including runners, volunteers, medical professionals, race officials and staff. To act in best practice to seek to ensure everyone’s health and safety, we the organizers took all possible measures against Covid-19 throughout the event period. Our event would have not been possible without each and everyone’s support and cooperation. It gives us greater joy than anything else that we were able to stage the event, at a time of great challenge for all, with all suitable precautions delivered.

Alongside the in-person race, a global virtual race has also started in which the participants may run the race anytime and anywhere before the event ends on 30 April 2021.

The Nagoya Women’s Marathon 2021 was held in the ‘new normal’ style and made a ‘new start’ thanks to all parties concerned. The Covid-19 infection status still requires caution, but the 2022 race is expected to be on the usual scale, enabled by vaccinations becoming available around the world so that the pandemic ends as soon as possible.