Bank only a little on the downhill
The first 6 km lose about 40 meters, which is worth a few seconds per kilometer. Take that and no more. The flat 36 km that follow reward even pacing.
Tokyo, Japan · Sunday, March 7, 2027
Tokyo Marathon race guide
Tokyo is one of the fastest Majors. The course drops about 40 meters from the start in Shinjuku over the first 6 km, then stays within a few meters of sea level for the rest of the race. Its shape is a series of out-and-backs through the old and new city, to turnarounds at Ueno, Monzennakacho and Tamachi, so you’ll see the leaders and the back of the field. The only bumps are the bridges over the Sumida River.
Pace plan
Plan your race on this course
Set your goal and start time. Your checkpoints, the time of day you’ll reach each one, and the course guide below all update to match.
Build your plan01
Pacing
A little slower on the climbs, a little faster on the downhills and flats, for the same finish time. Based on where this course climbs. Treat it as an effort guide.
The race starts at 9:10 a.m., but later blocks take up to half an hour to reach the line. Enter the time you cross to see the time of day at each checkpoint.
Splits
Your Tokyo Marathon02
Average pace
4:59/km
- First half
- 1:44:51
- Second half
- 1:45:09
- Finish line
Hover or tap a bar to see that km.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed |
|---|---|
| Ichigaya5 km · Downhill done soon. Don’t bank time | 24:45 |
| Ueno turnaround10.6 km · Settled into goal pace | 52:34 |
| Asakusa18 km · Big crowds. Hold your pace | 1:29:23 |
| Halfway, Ryogoku21.1 km · Even pace, or a little ahead from the downhill | 1:44:51 |
| Monzennakacho turnaround24 km · Check in. Fuel on schedule | 1:59:19 |
| Ginza33 km · The hard part starts here | 2:44:18 |
| Tamachi turnaround37.5 km · Under 5 km to go. Race it | 3:06:38 |
| Finish42.2 km · In front of Tokyo Station | 3:30:00 |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Sunday, March 7, 2027
- Start time
- 9:10 a.m. JST (wheelchairs 9:05); the back of the field crosses the line about 30 minutes later
- Start
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku
- Finish
- Gyoko-dori, in front of Tokyo Station
- Time limit
- 7 hours. Each point on the course closes on a published schedule; the finish closes at 4:10 p.m.
- Elevation gain
- About 70 m
- Official site
- marathon.tokyo
- Profile
- A gentle downhill for 6 km, then flat, with a few small bridges
- Best for
- A PR in cool weather, with huge, polite crowds
- Biggest mistake
- Running the downhill start too fast because it feels free
- Cut-offs
- Every point on the course has a closing time; the finish closes at 4:10 p.m.
The course
The course, at your pace
- km0–7
Shinjuku downhill Downhill
You start outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and drop about 40 meters over the first 6 km toward Iidabashi. It’s crowded and fast. Let gravity give you a few seconds, not a few minutes, and save your legs.
4:57 /km7 km at 34:38
- km7–10.6
Jinbocho, Akihabara & Ueno Flat
The course flattens out through Jinbocho and Akihabara to the first turnaround near Ueno at about 10.6 km. Settle into goal pace here and start fueling.
4:59 /km10.6 km at 52:34
- km10.6–21.1
Nihombashi & Asakusa Flat
Back south through Nihombashi, then north to Asakusa and the Kaminarimon Gate around 18 km, one of the best crowds on the course. You cross the Sumida River and reach halfway near Ryogoku.
4:59 /km21.1 km at 1:44:51
- km21.1–28
Kiyosumi & Monzennakacho Flat
East of the river to the turnaround at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine around 24 km, then back over the Kuramae Bridge at 28 km. It’s flat and steady. The bridge is a short rise, so keep your effort even over it.
5:00 /km28 km at 2:19:19
- km28–35
Nihombashi & Ginza Flat
Through Nihombashi again and down Chuo-dori into Ginza, with big crowds. This is where the race starts to hurt. Focus on form and rhythm.
4:59 /km35 km at 2:54:14
- km35–37.5
Shiba & Tokyo Tower Flat
South past Shiba Park and Tokyo Tower to the last turnaround near Tamachi Station at about 37.5 km. Seeing the tower means you’re almost there.
4:59 /km37.5 km at 3:06:38
- km37.5–42.2
Hibiya to Tokyo Station Flat
Back north to Hibiya and along the Imperial Palace grounds to the finish on Gyoko-dori, in front of Tokyo Station. It’s flat the whole way. If you’ve paced well, this is where to race.
4:58 /kmFinish at 3:30:00
Every km split for 3:30:00
| Km | Terrain | Pace /km | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flat | 4:57 | 4:57 |
| 2 | Flat | 4:57 | 9:54 |
| 3 | Rolling | 4:57 | 14:51 |
| 4 | Flat | 4:56 | 19:47 |
| 5 | Flat | 4:56 | 24:43 |
| 6 | Flat | 4:57 | 29:40 |
| 7 | Flat | 4:58 | 34:38 |
| 8 | Flat | 4:58 | 39:36 |
| 9 | Flat | 4:59 | 44:35 |
| 10 | Flat | 4:59 | 49:34 |
| 11 | Flat | 4:59 | 54:32 |
| 12 | Flat | 4:59 | 59:31 |
| 13 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:04:30 |
| 14 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:09:28 |
| 15 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:14:27 |
| 16 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:19:26 |
| 17 | Flat | 5:00 | 1:24:26 |
| 18 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:29:25 |
| 19 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:34:24 |
| 20 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:39:22 |
| 21 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:44:21 |
| 22 | Flat | 5:00 | 1:49:21 |
| 23 | Flat | 5:00 | 1:54:21 |
| 24 | Flat | 4:59 | 1:59:20 |
| 25 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:04:20 |
| 26 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:09:20 |
| 27 | Flat | 4:58 | 2:14:18 |
| 28 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:19:19 |
| 29 | Flat | 5:01 | 2:24:20 |
| 30 | Flat | 4:58 | 2:29:18 |
| 31 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:34:16 |
| 32 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:39:17 |
| 33 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:44:15 |
| 34 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:49:14 |
| 35 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:54:13 |
| 36 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:59:11 |
| 37 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:04:10 |
| 38 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:09:08 |
| 39 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:14:07 |
| 40 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:19:05 |
| 41 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:24:04 |
| 42 | Flat | 4:58 | 3:29:02 |
| Finish | Flat | 4:58 | 3:30:00 |
Lap your watch at each marker; GPS distance drifts over 26.2 miles. Even-pace card for 3:30:00
Race strategy
How to pace the Tokyo Marathon
Use the out-and-backs
The turnarounds let you see where you are in the field, and they break the race into manageable pieces. Take turns tight and get back up to speed smoothly.
Know the closing times
Each point on the course has a published closing time, and the finish closes at 4:10 p.m. If you start near the back, your time starts about 30 minutes after the gun.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Do long runs with extended flat blocks at goal pace, the way 36 km of Tokyo will feel.
- Practice holding pace through tight 180-degree turns, since the course has three turnarounds.
- Train through the cold: some long runs in the morning with the layers you’ll wear in the start area.
Race-day weather
Early March in Tokyo is usually cool and dry, with mornings around 5–10°C, which is good for fast running. It can be cold and windy in the start area, and rain is possible. Bring a throwaway layer.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- Bib pickup is in person only, at the expo at Tokyo Big Sight from Thursday to Saturday before the race. There’s no pickup on race day.
- The start is around the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. Arrive early, because security screening and baggage take time.
- Your start block is on your bib. Blocks start in order, and the back of the field crosses the line about 30 minutes after the gun.
Questions runners ask.
How do I get into the Tokyo Marathon?
Most places are allocated by ballot, and there are also charity entries and overseas tour-operator places. The field is about 40,000 runners. Check the official site for each year’s entry windows.
Is Tokyo a fast course?
Yes. It loses about 40 meters in the first 6 km and is flat after that, and it has produced some of the fastest Major times of recent years. Cool March weather helps.
What is the time limit?
Seven hours, with a closing time at each point along the course. The finish closes at 4:10 p.m. Runners who fall behind the schedule are taken off the course.
Where should friends and family watch?
Asakusa near the Kaminarimon Gate, Ginza, and the stretch past Tokyo Tower are great spots. The out-and-backs mean spectators can often see runners twice from one place. Use the subway, since roads close.
Last checked October 21, 2026. This is an independent guide from Miles. We’re not affiliated with the race organizer. Start times, cutoffs, and logistics can change, so confirm everything on the official race site before race day.
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