The 2023 Tokyo Marathon set a new Guinness World Records title for the most people to earn a Six Star medal at a single marathon, on Sunday in Tokyo.
3,033 runners completed the race to earn their Six Star Medal, smashing the previous highest total set in Tokyo in 2019 of 732 and establishing the first official world record for the Six Star program. Among them, 40 runners were completing the journey for a second time; five for a third and one runner was going round the series for an incredible fourth time.
Many of the runners participating in the record had waited for this moment since first earning a place in the 2020 race, which was reduced to an elite only field as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged to curtail international travel and mass participation events all over the world.
Runners continued to wait through 2021 and 2022 before travel restrictions for Japan were relaxed to allow overseas visitors to enter the country.
It resulted in a major spike in Six Star Finisher numbers for the 2023 race and a landmark day in the Japanese capital.
The influx of new members of the Six Star Hall of Fame means the total on record has surpassed 11,000 runners.
An official presentation was made at the end of race day to mark the occasion.
Dawna Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors said: “What a day we had at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon – celebrating more than 3,000 runners completing their Six Star journey and setting a new Guinness World Record in the process. It was incredibly emotional for all who were involved, and I am so happy for everyone who can now say they are part of a world record!”
One of the runners getting their second Six Star medal, Ron Romano said: "Being part of the Guinness World Records attempt today in Tokyo was something I will never forget. Running for my second Six Star medal but also knowing I was part of an extra special group of finishers trying to accomplish something extra was an added boost to get me over the finish line."
Another Six Star Finisher, Manal Rostom, who became the first Egyptian female to collect the Six Star medal said: “I am so proud to have set a new world record with thousands of other runners on Sunday. It was an amazing day and having that title on top of being a Six Star Finisher makes it extra special. I will never forget it.”
Runners can purchase their own personalized GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ certificate of participation to commemorate their achievement from the Certificates of Participation section of the official store here.
All Tokyo 2023 results will be available in Runner Portals in the coming days.
