In preparation for Tokyo Marathon 2024, which will be run on Sunday, March 3, 2024, the Tokyo Marathon Foundation opened its annual Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2024, one of the largest running-specific trade shows in Japan, at Tokyo’s famous Big Sight exhibition space.

The opening ceremony, which majestically began with a stunning calligraphy performance by Yuna Okanishi, a calligraphy artist who forcefully wielded a large brush to draw the characters for ‘Tokyo,’ was attended by Itaru Fukuda, Managing Executive Officer of Tokyo Metro. Kenchi Tachibana of the popular singing group EXILE THE SECOND, sang “Winner,” the official song for Tokyo Marathon 2024. Okanishi, who had earlier staged her calligraphy performance, and Tadaaki Hayano, chairman of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation, also attended the ceremony.

In his subsequent speech on behalf of the organizers, Mr. Hayano expressed his condolences to the victims of the recent devastating Noto Peninsula earthquake, and explained that the Tokyo Marathon Foundation has been engaged in support for the victims by distributing Ishikawa Prefecture’s famed confections at water stations along the course, setting up donation boxes at the Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2024, and putting on both a charity Virtual Run and a charity auction. The Tokyo Marathon Foundation plans to continue providing support related to the Tokyo Marathon.

Touching on the concept of “Tokyo, My favorite place...”, which is expressed in the main visuals of this year’s marathon, Chairman Hayano remarked that, “I think it’s also important to think about how everyone can enjoy Tokyo even after the Tokyo Marathon draws to a close, whether it’s running, living, or anything else. I also hope that everyone will enjoy the three days of the EXPO, which is supported by our many partners and volunteers,” and he called on the runners to do their best.

Mr. Tachibana, Ms. Okanishi, and others also joined in the cutting of the ribbon that marked the official opening of the ‘Starting Gate’ for registering the thousands of runners who will be participating in this year’s Tokyo Marathon 2024. When the gates opened at 10:00 a.m., the many runners from Japan and overseas, who had been lined up since early in the morning, were welcomed with applause by volunteers and staff members as they checked in and signed up for the race. This year’s event, as in previous years, had a capacity of 38,000 runners, and a breathtaking number of international runners and their families also visited the EXPO site on the first day of the event.

The Official Partners Zone that is a part of Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2024 features a total of 85 booths, including Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd., the premier partner of this event, as well as such major partners as STARTS CORPORATION INC.,ASICS Japan Corp., and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. These 85 booths are divided into the Official Partners Zone, the Co-Sponsoring Media Zone, the Tokyo Community Zone and others, where visitors can enjoy a wide range of attractions, including the latest in sports gear and apparel for sale, as well as countless demonstrations.

The ASICS booth was easily the most popular, with a long line of people queuing up from early in the morning. Besides displaying and selling limited edition T-shirts and shoes, there was also a corner where visitors could try on the latest shoes before they officially went on sale. Mr. Watanabe from Tokyo, who was there testing out a treadmill, told us, “I came to the EXPO early this morning because I couldn’t wait to try out this treadmill. I’m already about ready to buy it (laughs),” he smiled. Mr. Watanabe had previously run the Tokyo Marathon two years in a row, last year and the year before. “I was especially impressed last year, because overseas runners were being allowed to run again for the first time in years, so I was reminded of the tremendous scale of the event. I also ran the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon in the fall, but I still enjoy the exhilarating feeling of running through the center of a big city like Tokyo, near the Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower.” Unfortunately, his number didn’t come up in the entry lottery for this year’s race, so he’s planning to run the Tokyo Marathon again next year.

At the Tokyo Metro booth, a uniformed station attendant and the Tanuki-based cartoon character, ‘Metopon,’ who supports local communities along the subway line, greeted the many visitors, dozens of whom asked to take commemorative photos with them. Runners taking part in the Marathon on the 3rd also posed for pictures with their target times displayed on a finishing clock.

Later, we approached Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura, who were enjoying the SEIKO GROUP CORPORATION’s booth. Mrs. Nakamura said, “This is my first full marathon, and my target time is exactly 5 hours.” Originally, both husband and wife had planned to run as a couple in the Tokyo Marathon to mark his 50th birthday, but only the wife managed to get in. They were a little disappointed that they couldn’t join in a commemorative race as a couple, but they said, “I think it’ll still be a great memory to run my first marathon in Tokyo. I feel like I’m well prepared, so I just want to be able to run the whole course!” Her husband, who’s taken charge of providing support, will be visiting each checkpoint on the day of the race to cheer her on. “I’ve already decided on a post-race meal as a reward, so I’m hoping we can share a toast with a delicious beer together.”

The STARTS CORPORATION INC.'s booth also features actual footage of the Tokyo Marathon 2024 course with accompanying commentary, while Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s ‘Pocari Sweat’ booth provides information on “What nutritional supplements should I take, and when should I take them?” In the General Exhibitor Zone, booths promoting Japanese culture, such as numerous festivals and public bathhouses, add to the international flavor of the EXPO.

The Tokyo Marathon is also famous for being one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), the six most prestigious large-scale marathons in the world, along with Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Runners who complete all six events within the time limits of each event are called Six Star Finishers (*1) and are awarded a commemorative Six Star medal. Last year, at Tokyo Marathon 2023, 3,033 runners became Six Star Finishers, setting a Guinness Book World Record for the most Six Star medals won in a single marathon. This year again, many runners who had achieved Six Star Finisher status at the Tokyo Marathon or were aiming to complete the next six marathons visited the Abbott World Marathon Majors booth to deepen their international exchanges with other runners.

(*1) Runners who have completed all six marathons (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City Marathons) within the time limits of each event.

From day one, the Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2024 has attracted not only runners, but also a large number of volunteers. At the runner registration desk, there were volunteers who were participating in this event for the first time, and more seasoned volunteers who have participated in numerous consecutive events, joining together to support the runners from both Japan and overseas with smiles on their faces. A volunteer reception desk was also set up for volunteers working on Race Day, and the venue was filled with nearly as much enthusiasm and motivation for the success of the Marathon as the runners themselves.

At the volunteer desk, there was a banner to say “Thank You!” to the volunteers who have provided support at the EXPO.

The "Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2024," which could be enjoyed by various people including running enthusiasts, concluded with great success, attracting many general visitors in addition to the Tokyo Marathon 2024 participants.