Tokyo Marathon 2026: A Journey of Perseverance, Patience, and Personal Best

The Tokyo Marathon has always been one of the most iconic races in the world. For many runners, it represents precision, discipline, and the unique energy of running through one of the world’s most vibrant cities. For me, the 2026 edition was more than just another marathon. It was a comeback story—one shaped by injury, patience, and the determination to prove to myself that perseverance truly pays off.

Arrival in Tokyo

I arrived in Tokyo on the afternoon of February 26, flying in with my partner Adi. As soon as we stepped outside the airport, the weather greeted us with what felt like the perfect welcome: breezy, slightly cold, and sunny. It was the kind of weather every marathoner hopes for.

We stayed in the Shinjuku area, which was conveniently close to the starting line. That proximity turned out to be one of the best decisions for the trip. Knowing that the start of the race was just a short walk away removed a lot of the stress that often comes with race morning logistics.

Our first evening in Tokyo was quiet and intentional. Instead of exploring too much, we focused on preparing for the race. I took some time to walk near the starting gates just to visualize where I would enter on race day. There’s something powerful about physically seeing the place where your race will begin—it makes everything feel real.

Back at the hotel, I double-checked all my gear: shoes, bib, gels, watch, and every detail that could affect race day. I kept checking the weather forecast as well, making sure I understood what conditions to expect. Dinner was simple and familiar—carbohydrates, hydration, and a few vitamins to support recovery and energy. The goal was simple: keep everything predictable and safe for race day.

The Tokyo Marathon Expo

The next morning, February 27, we headed to the Tokyo Marathon Expo.

This wasn’t my first Tokyo Marathon Expo, so the location and setup felt familiar. The crowd was manageable since we arrived relatively early, making it easy to move around and explore the booths.

Several brands had impressive setups—Mastercard, Seiko, Adidas, and Brooks among them. These expos are always exciting, but for me the real moment happened the instant I arrived and picked up my bib.

That’s when the emotions hit.

Preparing for this marathon had been a roller coaster. My last major race before Tokyo was the New York City Marathon, where I suffered an injury. The months that followed were filled with recovery, rebuilding strength, and slowly regaining confidence in my running.

Standing at the expo, holding my bib, I realized that in just a few days I would be running another World Marathon Major.

It was a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

Part of me wondered: Am I truly ready to run another marathon?

But another part of me believed that everything I had done during recovery had prepared me for this moment.

Before leaving the expo, I picked up a few essentials—some running gels and a couple of shirts as souvenirs to remember the experience.

The Day Before the Race

The day before the marathon was all about staying relaxed and keeping my body moving just enough.

I did a short shakeout run, just a few minutes to wake up the legs. After that, Adi and I spent time exploring the Yoyogi area, discovering a few charming cafes and enjoying coffee in a quiet neighborhood.

Tokyo has a way of blending calm moments with a vibrant city atmosphere, and it helped keep my nerves in check.

For dinner, I stuck to familiar foods: rice, chicken, and some bread. Nothing unusual. After running for years, I’ve learned that experimenting with food before a marathon is never a good idea. Familiar carbs, hydration, and rest were the priority.

From our hotel window, I could actually see the starting line.

That alone changed the entire race experience. Instead of waking up hours earlier to travel across the city, I knew the start was right there.

That sense of convenience helped me stay calm.

I managed to sleep around eight hours that night, something that every marathon runner knows is not always easy the night before a race.

Race Morning

Race day started around 6:00 AM.

Breakfast was simple: bagels, a croissant, orange juice, and plenty of water.

When I stepped outside, the weather was exactly what runners dream of: around 10°C, cool enough to run comfortably but not too cold.

Walking toward the starting area, the nerves began to build. That’s normal for any marathon.

But instead of letting those emotions overwhelm me, I focused on grounding myself.

Once I entered my assigned gate, I took a moment to connect with the surroundings.

The runners.The atmosphere.The quiet anticipation before the start.

I reminded myself of the game plan for the race. The goal was clear, and all I had to do was execute it.

The Race Begins

My personal goal for Tokyo was 3 hours and 58 minutes.

Breaking the four-hour barrier had always been meaningful to me, and Tokyo felt like the perfect place to pursue that goal.

The race started smoothly. Tokyo Marathon is known for its organization, and it showed from the very beginning.

As the kilometers passed, I focused on maintaining a steady rhythm. One lesson I learned during the race involved my Garmin watch. The distance tracking didn’t perfectly match the official race markers, which meant I had to adjust my pacing based on the course markers rather than relying entirely on my watch.

It’s a small detail, but one that matters when chasing a specific goal time.

Moments Along the Course

One of the most meaningful parts of the race was seeing Adi along the course.

We had planned to meet around 10K and 30K, but he went the extra mile and showed up around 40K as well.

Seeing a familiar face during a marathon makes a huge difference. Those moments give you a surge of energy that no gel or sports drink can provide.

The Ueno area stood out as one of my favorite sections of the course. The crowd there was lively and energetic, and it was also where I saw Adi cheering.

Another memorable part was Asakusa, where the course passes near the famous Senso-ji Temple. The energy of the area and the cultural backdrop made the experience unforgettable.

The Toughest Kilometers

As every marathon runner knows, the real race often begins after 30 kilometers.

For me, the toughest section came around 37K until the finish.

There’s a long U-turn segment in that stretch that felt endless. At the same time, the temperature had risen slightly, and the sun felt much stronger than earlier in the race.

My legs were starting to feel the fatigue, and the threat of cramping was real.

The final 5 kilometers felt like the longest of the entire race.

Your body is tired. Your mind is negotiating with itself. And every step becomes a small battle between fatigue and determination.

But I reminded myself why I was there.

I thought about the months of recovery.The long training runs.The people who supported me throughout the journey.

The Final Push

As the finish line approached, my thoughts shifted from pushing harder to simply appreciating the moment.

I just wanted to finish strong.

But I was also deeply grateful for the entire journey that led me there.

Every message of encouragement.Every training session.Every moment of doubt that eventually turned into motivation.

Crossing the Finish Line

Crossing the finish line at the Tokyo Marathon was an overwhelming moment.

I had achieved my goal—a personal record of 3:58.

But more than the time, what stayed with me was the feeling of gratitude.

Gratitude for having the ability to run.Gratitude for the people who supported the journey.Gratitude for the process itself.

During the race, I realized something important: I was fully present and grounded. Instead of fighting my thoughts, I allowed myself to absorb the experience. That mindset made the race feel less mentally exhausting.

After the Race

The first thing I did after finishing was hug Adi.

This marathon was a shared journey. From training to travel to race day support, he had been part of every step.

After that, I took a long bath, relaxed, and eventually took a well-deserved nap.

Recovery always feels better when you know you gave the race everything you had.

A Long Road to This Marathon

What made this Tokyo Marathon even more meaningful was the journey leading up to it.

Recovering from my injury after the New York City Marathon took time. Rebuilding my running form and confidence was not easy.

In total, the preparation took more than a year.

There were moments when I questioned whether I could run another marathon again.

But this race proved something important: perseverance works.

If you commit to the process and give it everything you have, the results will eventually come.

Part of a Bigger Journey

Tokyo also marked another milestone in my World Marathon Majors journey.

It became my fourth completed major, and the journey continues.

Next stop: London Marathon next month.

Final Thoughts

The Tokyo Marathon is special for many reasons.

The organization is world-class.The course runs through incredible parts of the city.The volunteers and spectators—though reserved—offer steady support throughout the race.

But for me, what made this marathon unforgettable was the personal journey behind it.

It reminded me that setbacks are part of progress.

And sometimes, the most meaningful victories are the ones that come after the toughest challenges.

Tokyo wasn’t just another marathon.

It was proof that perseverance, patience, and belief in the process can carry you farther than you ever imagined.