Tokyo Marathon Joins World Marathon Majors

The Tokyo Marathon will join their prestigious World Marathon Majors (WMM) race series from February 2013, herbal becoming the series’ first Asian race.

Tokyo will join the lineup of Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City.

It will take place on February 24, making it the first race in the 2013 – 2014 World Marathon Majors scoring period

The higher status benefit the Tokyo 2020 bid to host the summer Olympics because the marathon route will have a higher significance as part of the WMM circuit.

Tad Hayano, Tokyo Marathon Foundation Race Director, said: “Tokyo is honoured to join the World Marathon Majors.

“As the first marathon from Asia, we will continuously make an effort to expand the brand of the WMM in Asia. Likewise, as the one of the World Marathon Majors, we believe that the Tokyo Marathon can make an even more positive contribution to the world marathon scene by working with our new partners.”

The World Marathon Majors was founded in January 2006 by the Boston, Virgin London, BMW Berlin, Bank of America Chicago, and ING New York City marathons and offers a US$1million prize that is split between the best male and female marathoners in the world.

Tom Grilk, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association and Boston Marathon, said in a statement with the WMM: “We at World Marathon Majors are delighted to have Tokyo join our group. The Japanese have a magnificent history and tradition in the marathon, and the Japanese people have long embraced the marathon and distance running in general. They are among the finest fans in the world for our sport.”

The first Tokyo marathon was held in 2007 and attracted 95,044 applicants and 30,870 participants. Since then the race has grown to more tan 300,000 applicants and around 36,000 runners.{jcomments on}