PREDICTPACE
← Back to predictor
Tokyo Marathon

Course guide & time predictor

Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo, Japan

Precision, crowds, and a fast finish

Elevation gain

295 ft

Course difficulty

0.5% slower than Berlin

Race month

March

See how your time translates to Tokyo Marathon

Enter a time from any other marathon to compare.

Compare coursesPredict from a race

About the race

Tokyo is the most organized marathon on the planet. Massive spectator support for all 26.2 miles of historic neighborhoods and modern boulevards, finishing near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government offices. Every aid station is stocked with precision. Every kilometer is measured exactly. It's a bucket-list experience that's also legitimately fast — comparable to London, faster than NYC or MCM.

Course profile

295 feet of elevation gain, modest and manageable. A gentle net downhill produces times comparable to London. Narrow sections in older neighborhoods and multiple turns add a small technical overhead compared to open-loop courses like Berlin or Chicago. The crowds are dense enough throughout that you'll be pulled through the difficult stretches.

Race-day conditions

The first Sunday in March brings 40–55°F and frequently overcast skies — favorable for racing. Occasional rain. Tokyo's early spring is more reliable than London's late April or Boston's notoriously variable conditions. In most years, you will race in good weather.

Using the predictor

Tokyo runs about 0.5% slower than Berlin — comparable to London, faster than NYC or MCM. If your training has been consistent, your predicted time will be accurate. Use Compare Courses to translate your current fitness into a Tokyo goal pace before you build your race plan.

Common questions

How do I get into the Tokyo Marathon?

The Tokyo Marathon uses a global lottery that opens in August for the following March race. International runners apply through authorized travel agencies or the official lottery. Acceptance rates are low — roughly 10–12% for domestic applicants, lower for international. Time-based entry is available for runners with fast qualifying times (roughly sub-2:45 men, sub-3:10 women). The race is capped at approximately 38,000 runners.

Is Tokyo Marathon a fast course for a personal best?

Yes. Tokyo is modeled at 0.5% slower than Berlin in this tool — roughly 1 minute on a 3:30 finish. It's faster than London, significantly faster than NYC or MCM. The March weather is reliable, the course is mostly flat, and the organization is exceptional. Many runners report running faster at Tokyo than anywhere else due to crowd energy and course management.

What is special about the Tokyo Marathon experience?

The organization and crowd support are unlike any other major. Aid stations are fully stocked every 5 km and volunteers are trained to anticipate runner needs. The course passes through historic neighborhoods, modern commercial districts, and traditional temples. The finish near Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building draws large crowds. Many runners cite Tokyo as their favorite marathon experience regardless of finish time.

What is the Tokyo Marathon course record?

The men's course record is 2:02:40, set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2021. The women's course record is 2:21:47, set by Brigid Kosgei in 2024. Tokyo is one of the fastest World Marathon Majors — comparable in difficulty to London — and has attracted increasingly competitive elite fields since joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2013.

Predict your Tokyo Marathon time

Other course guides

Boston MarathonNew York City MarathonChicago MarathonBerlin MarathonLondon MarathonMarine Corps MarathonCIM (California International)Houston MarathonTwin Cities MarathonBig Sur International MarathonLos Angeles MarathonPhiladelphia MarathonParis Marathon