30 athletes made up of 21 men and 9 women, took off in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building 1 at 9:05 to kick off the wheelchair marathon. It was sunny with temperatures at 14 degrees Celsius and 42% humidity.
In the men’s field, SUZUKI, Tomoki (Toyota Motors), the bronze medalist at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon, won with a new course record of 1:19:14, 1:43 faster than the existing record. He had a big lead from the second-place finisher, securing his second consecutive win.
He shared his joy and his appreciation. “We were fortunate to have good weather, and I’m happy to have set a new course record and capture a consecutive win. All the encouragement from the spectators helped me to keep my spirits up to the end. The cheering in Japanese is something special that sets the Tokyo Marathon different from the international races.”
There was a group which included SUZUKI and led the race from the start, but it became a two-person pack with NISHIDA, Hiroki (Baccarat Pacific) by the time the leaders reached the 5km mark. SUZUKI picked up the pace around the 8.5km mark as NISHIDA began to lose speed. SUZUKI seemed calm as he ran solo at a fast lap time that could potentially break his Japanese record of 1:18:37, and he raised both arms in exhilaration as he crossed the finish line.
During the press conference two days earlier, he had shared “I want it to be an interesting race, so I hope to race in a pack in the first half.” He reflected on the race pointing out that the pace was slowing down with only 2 in the leading group. “I realized that I needed to give it my all and decided to make it a special race by switching my goal to breaking the course record.”
SUZUKI further commented that after the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, “it wasn’t that I wasn’t fully prepared because I had taken a long break to reset and allow my body and mind to recover. If I were to give a metaphor, I raced as if I was preparing a meal with the leftovers in my fridge. On the other hand, being able to run under 1:20:00 with the strong winds created by the buildings in Tokyo is worthy of recognition. I shouldn’t be conceited. I will give attention to detail so I can become stronger.” He has set his aspirations high.
XINGCHUAN, Luo (China) who placed sixth at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon, came in second with a time of 1:30:28. He shared the good impression of his first Tokyo Marathon and commented with a smile. “I hadn’t been able to practice fully and am very fatigued, but the course was smooth and the encouragement from the spectators was good motivation. I’m not fully satisfied with my time, but it was my first race of the season, so I accept it. I hope to race again in Tokyo.”
ZHANG, Ying (China) took third place with a time of 1:30:57 after slowly catching up from the third group. Although this is his first Tokyo Marathon, he placed 11th at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – marathon 4 years ago. His expression showed his satisfaction as he commented. “It was fun to race through the city of Tokyo again. I was touched by the encouragement from the spectators, and it gave me power. I’m happy that both my ranking and time were good.”
The women’s race was also very fast paced with the top two placers both breaking the course record. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon gold medalist DEBRUNNER, Catherine (Switzerland) won the race coming in at 1:35:56 and bettering the record by 47 seconds. Silver medalist SCARONI, Susannah (USA) also broke the existing record by 15 seconds and placed second with a time of 1:36:28. ZHAOQIAN, Zhou (China) who placed fifth at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – marathon took third place with a time of 1:37:46.
Having won in her first attempt at the Tokyo Marathon, DEBRUNNER reflected on becoming a winner in the dead heat with a smile. “I have always wanted to race in the Tokyo Marathon, and it finally became a reality. It was a great debut race. The course was smooth and easy to race on. There were many fast athletes, and we started as a group, but it soon became a two-way competition with Susannah. I began building up speed past the 40km mark and gave a final spurt in the last corner. I’m glad to have pulled through for the win.”
The top Japanese finisher TSUCHIDA, Wakako (Will Rays) placed sixth overall with a time of 1:40:33. She gave herself a nod as she commented. “It was enjoyable to race due to the great weather conditions. With so many top-level athletes participating, I looked at this race as an opportunity to test my skills. For the time, I still have been some work to do, but I think it was a good race .”
Wheelchair Race Director SOEJIMA, Masazumi shared his review of the race commenting that the warm weather with little wind “were good conditions for the wheelchair race. I’m glad there weren’t any major issues, and that both the men and women were able to set course records.”
As for the “split time bonus” established specifically for the Tokyo Marathon at the 10km mark, SUZUKI and NISHIDA in the men’s and three women, DEBRUNNER, SCARONI and ZHAOQIAN cleared the predetermined target time, each earning a monetary award. Wheelchair Race Director SOEJIMA shared a sense of accomplishment as he commented. “It seems the athletes were able to enjoy racing with the race being very interesting for the spectators as well.”
All four Duo Teams started right after the wheelchair athletes started. They have experienced the very first trial run in the Tokyo Marathon.
