Tokyo Marathon is one of the world’s most popular annual marathons . The race is run through central Tokyo and is held in February. Thousands of amateur and professional runners compete in the marathon every year, and hundreds of thousands of spectators line the race route of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers). The marathon is sponsored by Tokyo Metro, which operates the city’s subway system.
Male and female athletes must be at least 19 years old to be eligible for the race. Prize money is awarded to the fastest finishers. A 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) race is held for runners from 16 to 18 years old. There are also separate competitions for wheelchair entrants and for males and females who are visually impaired, intellectually challenged, or recipients of organ transplants.
The Tokyo Marathon in its present form was first run in 2007. Previously, Tokyo hosted two separate marathons that were run in alternate years.
In 2006, the organizers of the Berlin , Boston , Chicago , London , and New York City marathons joined to create the World Marathon Majors. Tokyo joined as the sixth major in 2013. In addition to prize money awarded for the individual marathons, runners compete for an annual $1-million prize. The prize is based on points runners earn for their performance in a major plus the World Championship marathon and the Olympic Games marathon, when held.
