The Tokyo Marathon, first run in 2007, will celebrate its 10th anniversary milestone with the staging of the 2016 race. The Tokyo Marathon Foundation is determined to commemorate this landmark occasion as a new start for its second decade, and is gearing up to launch projects for the 10th anniversary event. Through the following projects, the Tokyo Marathon will put an even greater degree of energy and vision into the marathon movement in Japan.
- Race Logo Renewal
- Internationalized Wheelchair Marathon Race
- Expanding Race Scale by 1,000 Runners (10th event only): Expanded from 35,500 (2015) to 36,500 (2016)
- RUN as One: In addition to the existing Semi–Elite category, the Semi–Elite (Overseas) and the general runners' categories are newly created; more information can be found here.
- Strengthening the Hospitality for International Runners: Recruitment of approximately 700 foreign language volunteers (from mid-November)
Race Logo Renewal
The Tokyo Marathon Foundation has renewed the official race logo in the buildup to the 10th anniversary running of the Tokyo Marathon 2016, held on Sunday, February 28, 2016.
Among the lines incorporated into this new logo are those that portrayed images of the runners, volunteers and cheering crowds along the course. They join to bring this event to life with their respective commitments to the �"Joy of Running," the �"Pride of Supporting" and the �"Delight of Cheering."
This logo, in which individual lines are woven together into a single integrated mark, symbolizes the image of the vast and rich range of stories that merge on the grand stage of the Tokyo Marathon. Fusing together, they give concrete expression to the thrills and inspirations inherent in the race theme �"The Day We Unite."
This logo is crafted to allow flexible changes through the recombination of its colors, lines and other components, which symbolizes the infinite potential of human beings to rise above confinement to certain set frameworks, unleashing the energy and the ability to constantly shift, adapt and evolve.
Wheelchair Race
The Tokyo Marathon Foundation is pleased to announce that from the milestone 10th anniversary running of Tokyo Marathon 2016 (Sunday, February 28, 2016), the wheelchair marathon race is in the process of being officially sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Application has been made to the IPC for this standing, and once the race is sanctioned, its official times will serve as qualifying times for taking part in the Paralympics.
To realize the world's top race, the renowned wheelchair athlete Masazumi Soejima, who is still active at the front line of international competitions, has been appointed as the Wheelchair Race Director.
With his initiative, the Tokyo Marathon will welcome outstanding athletes from Japan and all around the world and maximize the level and quality of the competition to convey the rich appeal and inspiration of wheelchair races. From the 2017 event, the race will also be included as the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) wheelchair marathon series, where the racers compete to earn points based on their respective performances. (Details about the AWMM wheelchair series can be found here.
�"It is highly significant that top-ranked athletes from around the world will be gathering in the Japanese capital of Tokyo to compete in this race, and I feel truly overjoyed to be a part of such a high-profile event," said Masazumi Soejima. �"I have personally competed in the Tokyo Marathon each year since its inaugural run. The very first marathon in this series particularly stands out in my memory, with the chilly temperatures and rainfall contributing to genuinely tough race conditions. The racers were undaunted by such weather conditions, however, being buoyed by the cheers and other warm words of encouragement voiced by the waves of supporters. For myself, I was exhilarated to emerge victorious in that historic first event. After the successful start for this event, I can truly report that each successive Tokyo Marathon has likewise proved to be a highly precious and rewarding experience. At present, as we prepare for the milestone 10th running of the Tokyo Marathon, the internationalized wheelchair marathon race is to be sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee. What's more, I have received the distinctive honor of being appointed to serve as the Wheelchair Race Director. As my mission in addressing the heavy responsibilities in this regard, I am determined to do everything in my capacity to attract top-ranked athletes from around the world to take part in the race. My goal is to realize a stellar caliber of genuinely fierce competition encompassing participants from Japan and abroad, while constantly conveying the incredible excitement and appeal of wheelchair racing to the fans lining the course and others who tune into or otherwise follow this race. Another obvious objective, as we gear up for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, is to energize the Tokyo Marathon Wheelchair Race as an outstanding athletic event and environment, so that the young aspiring athletes could use the Tokyo Marathon as a vehicle to excel at even greater heights on the global competitive scenes."
More information about Soejima can be found here.
We would like to inform you of our official partners who support Tokyo Marathon 2016, scheduled on Sunday, February 28, 2016.
As of June 30, 2015
Presenting Partner
Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd.
Official Partners
STARTS CORPORATION INC.; Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.; ASICS Japan Corp. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.?BMW Japan Corp.; KINTETSU INTERNATIONAL; The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited? SEIKO HOLDINGS CORPORATION; Toray Industries, Inc.? Mizuho Bank, Ltd.; Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.; ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.; American Express International, Inc.; ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS Co., LTD; KAGOME Co., Ltd.; Photocreate Co., Ltd.; ZENROSAI (National Federation of Workers and Consumers Insurance Cooperatives); KONICA MINOLTA, INC.; SECOM CO., LTD.; Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co.,Inc.; Daiwa Securities Group? Shiseido Co.,Ltd? NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION? KOYOU HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.; Shimizu Octo, Inc.; Tokyo Big Sight Inc.
For more details, please go to Tokyo Marathon 2016 official website (http://www.marathon.tokyo/en/).
For any enquiries, please contact below:
Public Relations Dept., Tokyo Marathon Foundation E-mail: press_tm@tokyo42195.org
