The lottery has been drawn and winners have been notified. Now those lucky enough to have won a spot in Japan's massive and increasingly popular Tokyo Marathon have begun training. The race is slated to be held on
February 28, 2010 and already runners have become ubiquitous in the parks and quieter streets of this bustling city. In the late evening and early morning, when pedestrian traffic is at a minimum, runners take to the sidewalks and alleys. They scrounge what little space is available for training.
The Tokyo Marathon, established in 2007, is one of the world's largest marathons, with over 30,000 runners from across the globe. Even at this immense scale, entry is highly competitive. With over 250,000 applicants, competitors are chosen by random lottery. However, as one blogger explains, it appears preference is given to foreigners and first-time marathon runners.
Marathon running is a very popular sport in Japan, for both competitors and spectators alike. Moreover, runners come from all over the world to participate in this marathon. All demographics of Japan's population are represented from young students to the elderly. According to the official website, the race will also include runners with physical and developmental disabilities as well as classifications for wheelchair competition.
The event consists of both a full marathon (26.2 miles) and a ten kilometer course. The race starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building in Shinjuku and continues through central Tokyo. The ten kilometer course finishes at the Imperial Palace, from where the marathon continues its winding course through the dense metropolis. Runners will pass some of Tokyo's greatest sights, including Tokyo Tower, the temples of Asakusa, the upscale Ginza district, and the famed Tsukiji fish market before finishing at Tokyo Big Sight on the man-made island of Odaiba.
Although entry for the 2010 marathon closed in August, the application for 2011 is expected to be made available on the official website through the month of August 2010. The application is available in English and Japanese.
The Tokyo Marathon, established in 2007, is one of the world's largest marathons, with over 30,000 runners from across the globe. Even at this immense scale, entry is highly competitive. With over 250,000 applicants, competitors are chosen by random lottery. However, as one blogger explains, it appears preference is given to foreigners and first-time marathon runners.
Marathon running is a very popular sport in Japan, for both competitors and spectators alike. Moreover, runners come from all over the world to participate in this marathon. All demographics of Japan's population are represented from young students to the elderly. According to the official website, the race will also include runners with physical and developmental disabilities as well as classifications for wheelchair competition.
The event consists of both a full marathon (26.2 miles) and a ten kilometer course. The race starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building in Shinjuku and continues through central Tokyo. The ten kilometer course finishes at the Imperial Palace, from where the marathon continues its winding course through the dense metropolis. Runners will pass some of Tokyo's greatest sights, including Tokyo Tower, the temples of Asakusa, the upscale Ginza district, and the famed Tsukiji fish market before finishing at Tokyo Big Sight on the man-made island of Odaiba.
Although entry for the 2010 marathon closed in August, the application for 2011 is expected to be made available on the official website through the month of August 2010. The application is available in English and Japanese.
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