The press conference for the Tokyo Marathon 2025 invited wheelchair athletes was held on Friday, February 28, two days before the race.
In advance of the athlete’s taking the stage, Tokyo Marathon Foundation Chairman / CEO / Executive Race Director HAYANO, Tadaaki explained the new measures that have been integrated for Tokyo Marathon 2025. This is the 18th Tokyo Marathon since it started in 2007, with one event being cancelled due to the pandemic. Ahead of the 20th anniversary event to be held in 2027, new initiatives have been incorporated including the addition of a non-binary category. “As we prepare to host the ‘world’s best event’ in 2027, we are fully committed to having a great event while focusing on the three pillars of ‘safe and secure`, `exciting race execution` and `hospitality`”.
■Women’s field is full of Paris 2024 Paralympic Games medalists
The press conference kicked off with the women, with Wheelchair Race Director SOEJIMA, Masazumi and five athletes including international Para Athletes DEBRUNNER, Catherine (Switzerland), DE ROZARIO, Madison de (Australia) and SCARONI, Susannah (USA) and Japanese Para Athletes TSUCHIDA, Wakako (Will Rays) and NAKAMINE, Tsubasa (Misato Swimming School) taking the stage.
DEBRUNNER is the world record holder for the women’s wheelchair marathon (T53/54) with a gold at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon, and two consecutive wins at the Abbott World Marathon Majors 16. This is her first Tokyo marathon. She shared her prospects. “This is my debut race, but I understand it is a great, fast course. It should be a good race since my physical condition is good and the weather is also forecasted to be good.” DEBRUNNER is known for racing aggressively from the start, but she shared with a smile. “It was a hard year last year, and it took me a while to recover after not feeling well in the winter. The Tokyo race will be my first of the year, so please don’t expect too much speed at the start.” She also shared her enthusiasm. “My physical and mental condition has recovered, so I hope to stay in the top group and do my best as I see how things unfold.”
DE ROZARIO placed fourth last year and captured a silver medal at 2024 Paris Paralympic Games – marathon. She shared her enthusiasm. “I took a relatively long break after Paris and restarted my practice with a new program. It will take some time for my practice to take effect, but I plan on trying out different things in this race.”
SCARONI, who placed third last year and won a bronze at 2024 Paris Paralympic Games – marathon, seemed to be on track with her preparation. “I’ve participated many times in the Tokyo Marathon, and it’s one of my favorite events. There are some technical challenges at the start and finish, but it’s a great course. I hope to race in a pack as much as possible, but either way, I promise it will be a great race.”
TSUCHIDA, who placed sixth in last year’s event as well as at 2024 Paris Paralympic Games – marathon, shared her prospects. “I look forward to this race since I’m from Tokyo. I’m proud to be able to race with some of the world’s top athletes, and I think I’ll be able to set a good time and feel my growth if I keep up with the leaders. The encouragement from the spectators will be my source of energy.”
NAKAMINE is the Japanese record holder and placed seventh last year. She shared that most of her practice has been indoors due to the cold winter in Okinawa this year. “It’s been a while since my last road race. With all the great athletes, it may take all my effort to just follow them, but I will give it my best and enjoy the race”.
■Who will be vying against SUZUKI who is looking for a consecutive win?
In the men’s field, international Para Athletes XINGCHUAN, Luo(China) and YOO, Byunghoon(South Korea) took the stage with Japanese Para Athletes SUZUKI,
Tomoki (Toyota Motors) and YOSHIDA, Ryota (SUS).
Luo is a young athlete who placed sixth at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon and is establishing himself globally. He is participating in the Tokyo Marathon for the first time, but shared his confidence as he commented, “I researched the up and downs of the course on the internet. The winters are cold in China, so I haven’t been able to practice very much, but I will do my best and stick close to SUZUKI so that I can get my first medal of the year and set a personal best.”
Veteran YOO who placed twelfth at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon will be participating in the Tokyo Marathon for the second time since 2019 when he had to pull out of the race due to cold rain. He shared his hopes for revenge. “I hope to complete the race this year since the weather forecast is good. I also want to keep up with SSUZUKI for a good race. I have great appreciation for the encouragement from the spectators at the last event, and I hope to set a personal best by racing along with all the spectators this year.”
SUZUKI ran solo for a win in 2024 and won a bronze medal at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon. He is fully rested and participated in a track race in February to kick off the season. This is his first marathon of the year, but other athletes have eyes on him as he looks for a consecutive win. He put the audience at ease as he commented, “I’m grateful to be set as a target, but if I run solo again, people may think it’s a replay, so I hope we can at least race as a group in the first half.” He also shared his resolve for a consecutive win. “It will be difficult to set a record if we race as a group, but I will race for the win in the second half.”
This will be his first Tokyo Marathon as a Paralympic Games medalist. “This is an important race where the streets of Tokyo are closed off to traffic. I think one of the roles of a medalist is to help spread the sport by demonstrating the speed of wheelchair athletes, so people see how fun it is. I also hope to do well, so children will want to `become an athlete like that` and see me as a role model”.
YOSHIDA, who placed fourth last year and eighth at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon shared his goal and spoke about the appeal of the sport. “I took a bit of a long break. This is my first race of the season, so I will do my best to keep up with the other athletes. Please watch us climb hills like Kuramaebashi with only the power of our arms.”
Wheelchair Race Director SOEJIMA shared his predictions of this year’s race as well as words of encouragement for the Para Athletes. “I think Debrunner will lead the women’s race with SUZUKI leading the men’s field, but it should be an interesting race with a lot of strategy if the other athletes can keep up with them and stay in a pack. I send my support.”
A “split time bonus” has been set for the 10km mark in the wheelchair race in anticipation of a new course record. The top three athletes who race under the predetermined target time of 18:50 for men and 21:45 for women will be presented with a monetary award. There are expectations for the race to be very fast paced from the start, and Wheelchair Race Director SOEJIMA encouraged marathon enthusiasts to “enjoy the fastest race by the world’s top athletes.”
The wheelchair race will start from in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building 1 at 9:05 local time on Sunday, March 2.
