Foreign runners excluded from Tokyo Marathon

With the strict border controls of Japan currently in place we have made the difficult decision to announce that our overseas runners will not be able to participate in the Tokyo Marathon 2021. For all runners who have been preparing and looking forward to race day, we understand your disappointment and we express our sincere apologies for the situation we are in and the necessary decision we have had to make.

All overseas runners who were registered for 2021 will have the option to defer to the 2023 event. More information on this will be shared in the coming weeks and months. We look forward to the day when we can unite safely, and be together again at the Tokyo Marathon. We thank you very much for your continued support of our team and our event.

Tokyo Marathon 2021 Schedule

- 23-30 June: Event fee payment due

- July (DTBD): Elite and Wheelchair Elite athlete registration

- 5 August – 5 September: Virtual Tokyo Marathon 2021 registration

- Mid-September: Board of Directors Meeting, 3rd Go/No-Go announcement (1 month prior to race day)

- 18 September 18-16 October: Virtual Tokyo Marathon 2021

- 14-16 October): Tokyo Marathon 2021 Packet Pick-up/EXPO

- 16 October Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2021

- 17 October: Tokyo Marathon 2021 Race Day

COVID-19 counter-measures for the Tokyo Marathon 2021

While taking in the advice set forth in the Japan Association of Athletics Federations’ “Guidance for Return of Road Races”, the Tokyo Marathon Foundation has also established the COVID-19 Countermeasure Committee and the COVID-19 Investigative Committee (comprising infectious disease experts, race management, medical team, administrative entities, etc.) for the Tokyo Marathon 2021 (17 Oct) to examine relevant countermeasures for the event.

Creating an environment to avoid the “Three Cs” (Closed spaces, Crowded places, and Close-contact settings) and managing the health of runners and staff are the basic approach against the disease.

To further enhance safety it is decided that PCR testing prior to the race day will be conducted for runners, volunteers, and athletics referees. As written in the regulation upon entry to the event, runners have agreed to the possible COVID-19 safety fee separate from the entry fee. With the decision that the testing will be required, the COVID-19 safety fee of 6,800 JPY (tax incl.) will be required from the runners upon payment of the event fee. Further details on testing will be announced as soon as determined.

Note that outlined information is subject to change depending on the situation surrounding COVID-19. We thank all the runners and volunteers participating in the Tokyo Marathon 2021 for their understanding and cooperation.