Finished Tokyo Marathon 2011! No.9 How to start on the day of the marathon, what to do and some « tricks » #tokyomarathon

I know it’s a little late, but I just remembered I forgot to write this down! Sorry, it’s been a whole year already…

But it’s really important!

In addition, I would like to say beforehand that this is written from the perspective of a « weak runner ». Therefore, please understand that it will not be helpful at all for those who are seriously aiming for a time.

Be sure to read through the documents you receive in advance!

As you can see in this picture above, there is always a page with important notes. Please read this carefully at least twice before you go to the reception and the day before the show.

Here’s what you need to check for now.

The first step is to check your luggage.

• 「ナンバーカードをウェアにつける」
• 「計時チップをシューズにつける」
• 「手荷物預け袋に荷物入れる」

Here’s what’s particularly important about the time schedule.

• 「手荷物預け終了時間を確認する」（2011年は8:30でした。）
• 「自分のスタートブロックの位置を確認する」（2011年はアルファベットのAからKまででした。）

By the way, I left « Alignment to start block completed » out of the list, but of course this has a meaning. I will explain the details later.

From Shinjuku Station to the venue

The starting point is the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Office, so the nearest station is, well, JR Shinjuku Station, etc.

You don’t have to worry about not knowing how to get to the start venue because you don’t know much about the Shinjuku area. As long as you don’t go too early, you can just follow the flow of people who are moving in the same direction.

There are a lot of people and attendants like this.

Check at the entrance

This will be a number check.

You can get this at the reception. Make sure to put it on your clothes the day before. Then you can show it to your friends on the day.

After being checked at the entrance, we entered the venue.

There are a lot of things to do, so it might be a good idea to go around as long as you have time.

How to check in your baggage

手荷物預け所はこんな感じです。場所は簡単に見つけることができると思いますが、番号によっては思った以上に遠くにあったりしますので注意してください。

Yes, it’s a good idea to know where you are properly by 8:00 at the latest.

Check the block.

You can check this by looking at the map in the « Guide to Participation » that you receive about a month in advance.

で、このあたりから弱小ランナー向けな話になりますが、

「G以下のブロックの方でかつ目標タイムが4時間台後半以上」

So let me get this straight.

「最後のブロックKブロックのさらに最後列」

I think you should get in line at the

Why the last row of K block is good for you: Before that, let’s talk about the timekeeping chip.

Here is a review of how the Tokyo Marathon time measurement works.

上でも説明したとおりランナーは全員受付時に配布された「計時チップ」をシューズにつけています。

In this state, when you pass the orange carpets set up every 5km on the course, your time will be automatically measured.

Of course, there is this orange carpet at the starting point. (You can’t see it in the picture below…)

In other words.

「前の方の列でスタートしようが最後列でスタートしようがきちんとタイムが計られる」

That’s what I mean. One more thing in addition. In both of my past two running experiences, I’ve

「K列最後列からでも9時25分頃＝先頭が出発してからおよそ15分後にはスタートラインを通過できた」

That’s what I mean.

That said, it’s true that a late start chases a handicap. The time limit is a concern. However, the first time limit is 10:30 near Ichigaya, 5km away, and I think that 1 hour for 5km is not a problem at all for runners who run a full marathon.

まずはここまでの流れで、最後列であっても意外と時間的余裕があるということを認識しておいてください。

Why the last row of K block is good: how to get to the starting block and the waiting situation

You can already see it in the pictures.

It’s a big crowd…. Of course, if you don’t want to get caught up in this crowd, you have to wait nearby before 8:00am when the line starts, and be ready to go.

But of course, the earlier you wait, the earlier you have to arrive at the venue and the earlier you have to leave your luggage.

さらに所定のスタートブロックまで無事にたどり着いたとしても、スタートまでの1時間あまりをすし詰め状態で寒い中待機していなければなりません。

Yes, it’s February in Tokyo. Moreover, I’m going to run from now on, and I’m leaving my luggage at home, so I’m wearing very light clothes. My body gets very cold.

Meanwhile, let’s see what’s going on in the last row of row K.

はい、みごとにガラガラです！

It’s so easy to get ready here (laughs) No, there were actually a lot of people doing normal things.

If you look at the « Participation Guide » (from last year, 2011) in detail, you will see that on page 4, from the middle of the right side, under « Lining up for the starting block, » it says

It says.

So, you should be able to make it at 8:45, but it’s much easier and easier to wait if you go to the last row (or rather, no longer a row) of K block at almost the last minute.

といいますか、スタートするまでって、ホント寒いんです。なのでじっとしてるとかなり辛い…。

また集合時間の時間ギリギリに行っていますので、開始直前まで新宿中央公園南交差点あたりでアップをする時間も十分に確保できるわけです。

summary

So, again, rather than poorly and seriously aligning to a given block.

「G以下のブロックの方でかつ目標タイムが4時間台後半以上」

So let me get this straight.

「最後のブロックKブロックのさらに最後列」

I think it’s better to line up with

However, I personally recommend this method, but please be aware that you are responsible for your own decision regarding this kind of time schedule.

以上、1年越しの更新でした。いよいよ来週！　出場者の皆様、頑張ってください！応援しております！