Tokyo marathon 東京マラソン2009

Billed as the Boston of Asia, the Tokyo marathon hosts more than 35,000 participants this year. My good friend PG wanted to do his first marathon in Tokyo and we both signed up. Unfortunately, he didn't get balloted but I did. So I dutifully turned up at his apartment for some free food and lodging on Mar 20 (Fri).

Sat was for registration at the Tokyo Big Sight. A registration letter came in the mail a week before, and participants have to produce that as well as identification (as specified by the organizers). We had to contend with crowd of animae fans rushing for their conference. But at the expo, registration was a breeze. Typically Japanese efficiency.

But the surprise was in the marathon exhibition. There were many novel events such as photo taking sessions (one was with our expected finish time), autographs by runner/model, interviews, dance and band performances, and lots of free samples. Although an event tee was provided, there would be no finisher tee (just a finisher towel). However, ASICS had lots of TM tees on sale at the exhibition, including a finisher tee with a DIY finish time! Yes, you guessed it. I bought one.



The weather forecast for race day was clouds with light rain in the morning, and showers in the early afternoon. And also for strong winds. True to form, the forecast was spot on. The morning was overcast, with strong gusts of wind.

8:00 am Baggage drop was done at trucks, organized by bib number. These trucks would drive from Shinjuku after the start to either Hibiya (10 km finish point) or Tokyo Big Sight (42 km finish). I arrived early, since I wasn't sure how long it would take to get there by subway.

8:30 am Queuing up in the H coral (yes, corals from A to K) I wished I was shorter so that I could huddle for some warmth. A number of participants around me were in just singlets and shorts. Tough guys.

A huge screen displayed the ceremonies and start of the race for the benefit or runners behind. Helicopters hovered around to provide TV coverage. This was a BIG event for Tokyo. After all, Japan has a very strong running tradition.

9:10 am Flag off. It took more than 6 minutes for me to reach the start point after the gun went off. As it was downhill from Shinjuku for the first 10 km, and runners were charging. "Too fast!" was my reaction, and I found a slower lady to pace after about 2 km.

At the first water point, I had my first taste of Amino Value, one of the sponsors. Not carbonated, sweetish and good taste to it. Nice. I would end up drinking amino value at the 5 km marks (isotonic drink stations alternate with water only stations every 2 to 3 km).

At the 10 km mark near to Hibiya park, we could see the elite runners coming back. They had just completed 20 km in 1:20 or so. Amazing. The route brought us to Shinagawa, passed the Tokyo tower, and we u-turned back to Hibiya. Every 5 km, we passed through a timing mat. The timing information was updated through the TM website so that family and friends could track our progress.

Although I drank much less than what I was used to - thanks to the 12 deg C temp - I started looking for toilets after about 5 km But the queues were long. Just before the 10 km mark, I diverted for a toilet break. But the wait costed me 3 to 4 minutes! To add insult to injury, I had to take another leak at the 20 km mark. This time, it was in a subway station, some 200 - 300 m away. So another 3 to 4 min wasted. Lucky for me, I didn't need another toilet break the rest of the way.

On the way back, I could see on the other side of the road a few pick up buses trailing behind the last runners. I could see a few participants in there, and for a moment imagined myself among them. Banish that though! I was determined not to be one of those.

Behind the buses were clean up trucks to pick up garbage. All the water stations from 10 to 15 km were already cleared up, rubbish collected, waiting for the clean up trucks. Again, Japanese efficiency at work.

I forgot to mention how impressed I was with the supporters, who lined up from start to end. No kidding. Young folks, old men and women, small children, they were all out there cheering, clapping, high five-ing! Gambare! Gambare! Fighto! Even as light drizzle started from about 12 km onwards, the supporters were still out in force, with their umbrellas and raincoats! Never before had I witnessed such enthusiasm.

PG's driver stationed himself at the 35 km mark to cheer the runners. He was there from 10 am to 2 pm and took some 300 pix. He does this every year!

The next loop brought us north east to Asakusa. From about 24 km onwards, food stations serve bananas, raisins and bread (with red bean filling). Nice. I helped myself to a few bananas, raisins and one bun. There were many food providers. Either home cooked, or from their shops, they were trying to out-shout each other to encourage runners to sample their fare! For free. Lunch was served! And I also sampled a nice fritter (not sure what the filling was). The hot food tasted really good especially when I was cold and wet.


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I was running as planned, at about 7 min pace (HR 140 to 150), stopping to walk briefly only at the water stations (every 5 km). Except for the time lost to toilet breaks, I was sticking to the plan. Gel at 12 km and 22 km. Because of lunch, I took the third gel only at 32 km. There were a few occasions that I felt a sharp pain on the right knee. Hhhmmm... not good, was what I thought. The old injury (sustained in Oct last year) had plagued me now and then. If there's one thing that would cause a DNF, it would be the right knee (TRK). Thankfully, TRK behaved and did not cause too much trouble.

I was struggling a little after 30 km, and had to slow down some. This was time to psyche myself mentally. 12 more km! How difficult can that be? As many who have completed the marathon know well, the race starts only from 32 km. In the past five marathons, I was hit by cramps after 32 km. This time, I was wary after the 32 km mark. HR had been erratic since about 30 km. Way too high at 160s. Felt cramps coming on about 33 km, and I stopped to stretch. By then there was a celebrity with camera and attendant crew. So that provided some distraction, and I was good to get back.

Just around the corner, I heard my name called. It was my good friend PG who took a photo for me. A little blur, but FOC.

At the Hibiya junction, I was surprised to see a group of non-runners gathered in the middle of the junction, standing behind barricades. Were they waiting for a shop to open? Couldn't figure it out. Later PG told me that they were pedestrians crossing the junction, systematically heralded to the middle of the road, and then to the other side. Just like a ferry crossing a river of runners. Imagine that!

By now, I knew that my primary objective (sub 5) would not be doable. The secondary objective was to keep the C beast away. Continued to struggle with occasional cramps but nothing that a quick stretch couldn't fix. The stretch from 35 km onwards was the challenging portion. A few bridges to surmount. Although just an elevation to 30 m, the ramps up reduced many to walking. I walked as well as my pace had slowed to about 8:30 per km.

The final stretch was most windy. Wind speed averaged 33 kph, high of 37 kph, so it was definitely an experience. The last time I experienced strong winds was in Chicago last Oct. Rain and wind. A non-trivial combo. Good thing I had my wind jacket on. I was walking and jogging through the last 5 km. Two more gels and baby steps. Not even thinking about time now. Just to finish well.

Early on, I thought my Garmin 305 went screwy on me. It was about 100m ahead of the distance markers early on and the difference just widened. At times, I couldn't understand why my pace jumped up or slowed down even though I was running steadily. I thought perhaps it was the high rise buildings that distorted satellite coverage. At the end of the race, the Garmin distance read 43.81km. Ok, I diverted for two toilet breaks, but the distance was way off. Strangely enough, two other SG runners clocked in more than 44 km on their Garmin 405s.

Did I mention costumes? We have our catwoman and spiderman. Tokyo has much more! Here is just a short list of what I can remember:

• pirate
  
• dorothy from Wiggles
  
• cow
  
• pink ninja
  
• kimono lady
  
• Jap lord
  
• Jap warrior
  
• playboy bunny
  
• man in playboy bunny outfit
  
• ballerina
  
• tin can
  
• samurai with "baby" in basket
  

Hats:

• pair of flying dumbo
  
• pink hair
  
• nemo
  
• water melon
  
• flags
  
• ... and many others...
  

In addition, I recall:

• 5 wrestlers
  
• TV celebrities with attendant crew, pacers, camera and sound men
  
• (from TV): TV celebrity who took breaks to breast feed her 7 month baby and she finished in 4:30
  
• Two blind runners (10k) with their pacers
  
• Two downs syndrome (or autistic?) runners with their minders
  

Needless to say, these runners provided much needed distractions. Even though I didn't achieve my primary goal, I had a ball of a time.

Last but not least, the finish at the Tokyo Big Sight. Lots of gallery (just as in the 2007 SBR that finished at the Marina floating platform with the gallery seats). That's not the point. After the finish line, runners were channelled through barricades for de-chipping. Volunteers were behind the barricades with their cutters. Just place your foot on the barrier and a volunteer cuts away the strap. Next we were in the channel to get the finisher medal in exchange for the chip. The volunteers would place the medals around our necks, and smiled and congratulated us for the hard work! Brought a warm feeling amidst the downpour getting heavier by the minute.

Next we collected our drinks, food (banana and orange), cereal bar and finishing towel before collecting our bags. All bags organized neatly by bib number. Efficiency. Then to the changing room. Thousands of runners here drying up and changing with whatever modesty they could muster (ladies had separate changing rooms).

Unfortunately, the rain was still raging when we left the hall. Long lines to get tickets to the train, and a little hassle with the crowd. But Japanese are patient people.

PS: And guess what. Currently stranded in Tokyo after the closure of runway A at Narita airport this morning following the Fedex plane crash. The last time was after the Bangkok marathon. Now Tokyo. Jinx?!?

PPS: MBH has banned me from all international marathons from now on. JN also kindly reminded me that last year's trip to Port Dickson could also be part of this jinx. So this is likely to be my last international race report. :(

Final word: This is the best marathon experience I'd had! Would I do it again? In a wink of an eye (if I can get the ban lifted... somehow, someday) Strongly recommended to all marathon enthusiasts.

Honor roll: Mizuno Rider 12