The Tokyo Marathon 2026 Fan Meeting was held on Friday, February 27, 2026, two-day earlier than the race, for the primary time at Tokyo Big Sight, which drew a crowd of round 150 marathon followers. The occasion was an enormous success, that includes a chat session and a raffle with the invited athletes, permitting for direct interplay.
As the invited athletes handed by means of the central walkway among the many viewers and entered whereas high-fiving the group, there was a roar of applause and cheering.
In the boys’s discipline, TAKELE, Tadese (Ethiopia), the defending champion from abroad, OSAKO, Suguru (LI-NING), a nationwide report holder with a time of two:04:55 set in December final 12 months in addition to SUZUKI, Kengo (Yokohama Athletics Association), the previous nationwide report holder from Japan took the stage for the discuss session. In the ladies’s discipline, KEBEDE, Sutume Asefa (Ethiopia), who goals for her third consecutive title, from abroad and HOSODA, Ai (EDION), who will probably be working her final run on this race, from Japan took the stage.
At first, OSHIMA, Yasuhiro, Race Director, greeted, “I’m so thrilled to have such talented athletes here, and I think I’m the happiest one of all,” welcoming the gathering of the top-tier athletes. He gave an avid look, stating “OSAKO and SUZUKI, I’m really looking forward to the showdown between the new and former Japanese record holders.” As for the ladies’s discipline, he commented “KEBEDE, I’m hoping for a three-peat” and despatched phrases of encouragement to HOSODA who will run her last race, “I hope you will set a record of sub 2:20.”
SUZUKI, who will run his first marathon after turning skilled final fall, expressed his enthusiasm, “I’d like to get off to a good start.” When requested about his goal time, he replied, “I won’t know until I try,” making a barely troubled expression. “Given my age, I can’t go all-out aggressive anymore, but I’d love to try a race like that. I just love running, so I’d like to take on a challenge,” he continued, and the viewers erupted into heat applause.
OSAKO who will tackle a problem inside a good timeframe after the Valencia Marathon in December final 12 months, mentioned “I will be entering the race with a quick turnaround, but my training is going well. As a new challenge, I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out,” seemingly maintaining the nice momentum. Just like SUZUKI, OSAKO didn’t point out his goal time both. “The beauty of marathons lies in the importance of strategy and tactics. When things get wild, that’s when my best side comes out and people truly see how fun the racing is,” OSAKO shared his ideas.
TAKELE, who claimed the title final 12 months with a time of two:03:23, mentioned, “I’m in good shape. I’ve laid the groundwork” and he’s going into the race in good situation. About his goal time, he strongly declared “I think I will be able to run with a time of sub 2:03,” and the viewers broke into applause.
KEBEDE appeared deeply moved in entrance of so many followers. “Thank you very much for organizing such a wonderful event. It really boosts my motivation,” she mentioned with a smile. “Setting a new personal best. I’d like to push myself and break the record,” the ladies’s race report holder with a time of two:15:55 will goal for 3 consecutive championships in addition to a brand new race report.
“I’ve done everything I can to prepare. I want to give it my all and finish with no regrets. I’ll turn your cheers into my strength and do my very best,” HOSODA, who will probably be working the ultimate race of her profession, expressed her willpower. “I hope I can have a race where I finish strong. To finish the last 2km with a smile,” she mentioned concerning the race improvement, envisioning a profitable last run.
After the discuss session, the athletes drew the raffle tickets and livened up the occasion.
The climate forecast for race day is sunny with temperatures at 11 to 12 levels Celsius initially of the race.
〇Tokyo Marathon 2026 Fan Meeting
Streaming URL:
https://youtube.com/live/Dl_bAnO-Ki8
