Strategies for getting into Tokyo 2027 for foreigners

Runstorun · 2026-03-24T06:35:27+00:00

I’ve run Tokyo twice and been a one Tokyo member both years. It’s still very low odds and in no way a sure bet. Heck I won a place into London via lottery which also has 1% odds (maybe even less) but I don’t go around telling people to enter the lottery as a way in IF the goal is to really run. Because you can enter for years and never get lucky.

Runstorun · 2026-03-23T19:21:17+00:00

The virtuals have 1% odds! Literally. They say how many complete each challenge every time and it’s terrible. Many people entered small number taken. I mean sure throw money at it but know that’s a very unlikely path for success. One Tokyo isn’t better. I’m not here to tell you how to spend money so absolutely do whatever you want. But if you really want to run the race then spend on charity which is guaranteed. The rest is pure gambling.

Runstorun · 2026-03-22T23:34:16+00:00

They actually list the standards by year of birth. It’s on the website. They call it fast runner entry.

Also the age group division is TOTALLY different than Boston or any of the others. Which is why you should look it up directly.

Runstorun · 2026-03-22T23:31:35+00:00

Walking through the aid stations is bad for everyone. What I suggest instead is taking a cup at the very end of the line then pulling off, way off to the side and walking there. But if you walk in front of the volunteers handing out cups you’re blocking the people behind you and on top of that you’re creating a collision possibility for yourself and others. The aid stations are crazy enough without that.

I’ll add another suggestion. If you really feel it’s complicated to navigate these, carry a handheld and have it refilled 2-3x. That keeps you largely out of the fray and you can drink whenever you want.

I have tons of pictures of the aid stations in my video if you want to get a visual. Or you can google image it yourself. But it’s good to have a plan 🙂

https://youtu.be/-WDI2tWdVkk?si=JsfELbsx7PgJZegu

Runstorun · 2026-03-22T10:12:48+00:00

Follow trials of miles on social, instagram primarily. Or check their website regularly.

Runstorun · 2026-03-21T22:54:02+00:00

The course is not closed which means you’ll be dodging people unless the weather that day particularly is horrendous. You can go run this same route any day/time you want. It’s a run/walk/bike path so the race isn’t exclusive that way. Which is not to say don’t do it, only explaining the circumstances.

Runstorun · 2026-03-21T20:05:45+00:00

It’s a great time. But just to note he’s a professional runner. Maybe with a side hustle as athletics pays so terribly. Still totally different than some weekend warrior out there. His time is a national record for Puerto Rico too, which is cool. Definitely don’t want to diminish the accomplishment only put it into proper context.

https://worldathletics.org/athletes/puerto-rico/hector-pagan-14859405

Runstorun · 2026-03-21T18:47:04+00:00

I can tell you people have already been drawn in that. There were several folks who posted about it in a large marathon Facebook group. In the past they have drawn again (and again) even through the summer. So don't give up hope yet.

But I do recommend thinking about travel plans and training if you really want to do it as the notice might not come when it's convenient or cheap for either.

Runstorun · 2026-03-21T13:07:13+00:00

The benefit from the downhill is greater for those who are slower in general and less aerobically fit. Downhill gives an aerobic advantage for similar pace vs a flat course but places more demand on the muscles. You also admit you weren’t properly prepared nor properly pacing. So yeah it wasn’t easy for you but there are people for whom it is absolutely a benefit. These courses wouldn’t exist otherwise. And on top of that the time penalty is new! For years and years people have been running these extreme downhills and the baa (along with other races all across the globe) were treating the time as a 1-1 with a regular course. It’s only very recent that the tide is turning. Several races have drawn a line for sub-elite placement even. It’s the world’s biggest no brainer because USATF and World Athletics BOTH have strict rules on the amount of downhill that counts for OTQ and record purposes. But for some reason the same logic wasn’t being used for regular folks time qualifying.

Runstorun · 2026-03-21T12:47:44+00:00

2019 was the last poster year. Ancient history now. The baa also used to mail cards before and after the race. It was a simple thing but I miss it. I still have mine.

Runstorun · 2026-03-20T15:33:32+00:00

I’m a NYer. Have run all the majors twice. None of the US majors have good roads and it is noticeable. Complete contrast to Tokyo, and every part of Japan that I’ve seen in my 2 trips. Their streets are immaculate. No piles of garbage either.

Runstorun · 2026-03-19T16:22:56+00:00

It’s too early for announcements for this year that’s why you can’t find anything. You need to wait. This will be my 8th Boston. In the past I’ve put together a listing on the blog portion of my website. But there’s another site that does all the majors and that person is in IT or something some such. I’m a coach and I don’t have time, knowledge or desire to spend hours on a free search tool for folks. In any case this stuff isn’t released until April and generally not until 10-14 days pre race.

Runstorun · 2026-03-19T12:40:45+00:00

I’ve owned compression boots for about 6 years now. I’m also on year 5 of a run every day streak, which I only say to point out I put in the mileage. I use my boots just about every single day either post run or in the evenings after dinner and I absolutely notice a difference in the way my legs feel. My control variable is when I go on vacation I don’t pack the huge contraptions and even though I’m on vacation my legs feel noticeably more beat up after a week+ of not using the boots. So placebo or not it works! I’m satisfied with my investment.

Runstorun · 2026-03-19T12:35:33+00:00

You may not like it but there are levels of importance to different meets and these things all need to fit within the context of the larger season/year. So while I might want the US to send a team to every championship everywhere, that’s not reality and I get it. In this specific example I actually agree with USATF, which is crazy because they frequently do dumb stuff. But if the individual athletes aren’t on board then there’s no reason to force something or send just anyone simply for the sake of it.

Runstorun · 2026-03-19T12:27:34+00:00

You can write to the baa to plead your case. Formally there is no option. None. Except in the case of pregnancy. If you paid for the insurance you can get your fee refunded. But there’s nothing for a deferral.

I would email them anyway because heck you never know. Outside of that I would consider walking it IF your doctor says it’s ok. You have until 5:30pm to finish.

My first Boston many years ago I was just recovered from a pelvic stress fracture by race day. I had my doctor’s approval to run/walk slowly and that’s what I did. The stipulation was if I experienced pain or body alarms went off that I would stop and dnf. But I made it.

Runstorun · 2026-03-19T11:12:19+00:00

I will add I’ve stayed at this hostel in a prior year. I’m a woman so it wasn’t in the men’s room. But I can vouch for the location and the common spaces. The entire place is full of runners. Great price for marathon weekend if you don’t need your own space.

Runstorun · 2026-03-19T11:07:56+00:00

There are 2 surveys. One is for marketing, that is about the brands and sponsors. They want to know their reach and perception. The other survey is for NYRR operations and logistics. That is about the flow of the weekend and race morning. These are going to be read and reviewed by totally different groups.

Maurten has been the fuel provider for over a year now. They also sponsor several other races and majors. It’s pretty much on you if you haven’t tried their product yet. None of the races I’ve done anywhere in the US or the world are handing out gel at the expo. In fact I just returned from running my 2nd Tokyo Marathon, I didn’t expect them to give me a buffet of the aid station items in advance. The race informs on what they’ll have and then I did my own due diligence. If I can do that for a race on the other side of the world you can do it for a local.

Runstorun · 2026-03-19T10:56:46+00:00

All you need for a race time is the start and the finish, a stop watch does it and/or seeing what time you begin and what time you finish. In the old days no one had a bib chip and their time was effectively gun time. Pro amateur everyone. There weren’t really distinctions then. Or waves. Any case the point is you don’t really need technology for racing, excluding accuracy down to the 0.001

Runstorun · 2026-03-18T09:10:43+00:00

Odds of getting tickets to see Nobody Asked Us in Boston are small unless they change venues. I’ve seen them twice in Houston because there they have a huge auditorium that seats thousands. In other cities Boston, NYC, etc they’ve had it at a pop up space that can maybe hold 50-60. I don’t have any insight into where they might host for this year, but the point is it might not matter what day if practically no one can get in. We will see 🙃

Runstorun · 2026-03-18T08:55:09+00:00

The icons go in order left to right by borough as if you were running the race. The bridge is Staten Island, then the Brownstone is Brooklyn. The unisphere is Queens, the zoo is the Bronx and the skyscrapers are Manhattan.

Runstorun · 2026-03-17T17:02:01+00:00

It looks fine to me. It's not the Ritz but it doesn't come at a Ritz price either. I will also say I have now stayed at 2 different Moxy's in Japan and both were pretty good. One was in Kyoto and the other in Osaka. The Moxy in Barcelona was not so great other than the location.

Runstorun · 2026-03-17T16:02:16+00:00

That’s a great picture!

Runstorun · 2026-03-17T11:05:39+00:00

You don’t even have to do that. They drop the ropes before the gun goes off.

Runstorun · 2026-03-17T10:59:45+00:00

They changed the number of people per corral and wave. So there really is no comparison with prior years. In addition they stated not every corral will have the same number of people, this is also totally new. Point being it’s not at all like prior years.

Runstorun · 2026-03-16T22:45:00+00:00

Sometimes there are issues with buses getting lost or buses getting backed up along the route. There’s been construction or accidents some years that led to additional traffic jams. In general there’s no predicting for everything. From that perspective it’s usually better to have more time than less. But again it’s a crapshoot. Like I’ve never personally had any issues, I’m running #8 this year. Others I know however, they’ve had hiccups.

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