As part of the Tokyo Marathon 2025 Art Project, we held a Drawing Runner Exhibition, displaying croquis* by students (artists) of the Tokyo University of the Arts that depicted the runners as they started the race in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and the atmosphere of the venue. The works were then exhibited at the Tokyo International Forum on the same day.

*Croquis refers to quickly drawing a subject, or a picture that was created in this way.

This Drawing Runner Exhibition was conceived as a way to create an opportunity to combine art and sports during a conversation, which was part of the official program for the Tokyo Marathon 2024, between Tokyo University of the Arts President Katsuhiko Hibino and the Tokyo Marathon Foundation's Chairman Tadaaki Hayano. It was held for the first time at the 2024 race.

This was the second time the event was held, and 10 first-year students from the Department of Design at Tokyo University of the Arts participated. In just 40 minutes, they created works that expressed the characteristics of the runners and the atmosphere of the venue with their own individuality.

Now let us introduce some of the students who participated in the Drawing Runner Exhibition and their works!

LI HAIRUO

"It was my first time drawing people in motion, but the runners looked so cool and I had a lot of fun drawing them. I tried to focus on the people's movements and their vigor. It was a great experience, so I'd like to continue drawing croquis in the future."

Konomi Inaba

"It was my first time seeing marathon runners up close, so I tried to express how moved I was to see their breathing and their aura. I learned a lot about the momentum of the marathon runners, how they approach the race, and their energy, so I would like to use that in my future works."

Kana Uchiumi

"It was hard to keep up with the movements. Yet it was fun because I could make eye contact with the runners and talk to them. The speed of the wheelchair marathon was so fast that the lights and colors really stood out, so I tried to incorporate that by using fluorescent colors. I learned a lot, such as the importance of being able to make quick decisions when drawing."

Yu Meixuan

"I don't often have the chance to see a marathon, so the experience of drawing while feeling its power was extremely valuable. It was quite difficult (laughs). But it was fun to capture the movements. I realized it's important to directly output a sense of energy in my work, so I want to make use of such fresh ideas in my future works."

Koki Kuwata

"It was difficult because marathon runners move so quickly, but I had a lot of fun drawing them, imagining how to create a sense of dynamism with the movements of each body part. In my piece depicting the back of a runner, I tried to express various things, such as that person's emotions and feelings."

Hanae Sakuraba

"The energy of the runners was just incredible. I like to draw people, the human body and facial expressions. I think people who love running have muscular arms and legs and a kind of beauty that comes from habit. I wanted to express that, so I drew a few of them."

Ayaka Sato

"The heat, vibrations and atmosphere were so intense that I thought it would be great to capture that in a drawing. And actually, I just went to see the finish line, and I was able to spot the runners I had been drawing at the starting point. It was amazing. I think the power of human beings is incredible, so I would like to create a work that evokes people's emotions."

Sayomi Hatsusaki

"I'm used to doing croquis, so I was able to relax and draw as usual. I wanted to capture that moment when the scenery changes in a second, so I drew with the intention of remembering it, incorporating the feelings of that moment, and expressing the excitement and energy of the venue."

Taiki Mamoto

"I drew quickly, using as few strokes as possible, and paying particular attention to the lines, so I was constantly moving my body while drawing. The runners were wearing colorful clothing, so I wanted to use lots of colors in my pieces. It was a great experience to be able to try out a variety of techniques in a short amount of time, and it was a really exciting drawing experience."

Ayami Yoneda

"I don't have much experience drawing moving subjects, but it was fun to feel the speed as I drew them. I wanted to express a sense of speed by using a variety of colors. I was really impressed by the fact that so many different people were taking part in a single event like a marathon, so I wanted to create a work that would reach a diverse range of people."

Associate Professor Satoshi Sasaki from the university's Social Collaboration Center, who observed, was impressed, saying, "They were very focused and drew carefully. Each of the

10 students had a different way of expressing themselves, and I found it very interesting to see their various perspectives, such as abstractly depicting such a large crowd or expressing the colorfulness of the clothing rather than the people running." Based on this experience, he expressed high expectations for the young artists, saying, "There are many things to experience outside of the university in the future, so I hope that all the students will continue to increase their knowledge, experience, and range, and broaden their sensibilities."

The Tokyo Marathon is working towards the realization of a community well-being society with art projects such as this. Through the combination of Art x Sports, as well as involving various people, things and events, we will appeal to young people and create opportunities for children to become interested in sports and other physical activities. And by collaborating with experts in the varied fields of art, creation, and technology, together we will gaze at a new generation as we dynamically develop together. Please keep an eye out for our future activities!