Record Field for a Milestone Year
The Tokyo Marathon has officially opened its general-entry lottery for the 2027 edition, marking the race’s 20th anniversary. Organizers announced that the field has been expanded to 40,000 runners, the largest capacity in the event’s history. As the only World Marathon Major in Asia and a key fixture of the Six Star circuit, demand remains exceptionally high, with acceptance rates typically hovering near 10 percent.
The lottery window opened on August 14 and will remain active until 5:00 p.m. Tokyo time on August 28, 2026. While the application process itself is free, successful candidates must pay the entry fee by September 30 to secure their spot. Fees are set at 19,800 yen (approximately $125) for domestic runners and $230 for international participants.
Lottery Dynamics and Eligibility
The lottery system is segmented to reward loyal participants and local residents. A portion of the 40,000 spots is pre-allocated: 4,000 places are reserved for members of the ‘ONE TOKYO’ program who have been unsuccessful in the lottery for three consecutive years (2024–2026), and 1,000 spots are set aside for Tokyo residents. The remainder of the field is drawn from the general open lottery pool.
Organizers have also clarified strict requirements for faster runners. Applicants projecting a finish time of under 3:00:00 must provide verified proof of a sub-3:00:00 marathon or a sub-1:25:00 half-marathon performance recorded between July 2024 and June 2026. Times from GPS watches or running apps are not accepted, and failure to provide documentation may result in reassignment to a rear starting corral.
Commemorative Gear and Security Warnings
To celebrate the 20th anniversary, the event has unveiled exclusive ASICS commemorative T-shirts. The design, created by graphic designer Takahiro Yasuda, features a ‘Key Visual’ intended to represent the unity of runners and the city of Tokyo. Detailed purchase information for these items is expected to be released in December.
In conjunction with the registration launch, race officials have issued a strong security warning regarding fraudulent websites. Runners are advised that official merchandise and registration are only available through the official Tokyo Marathon website. Officials noted that third-party sites impersonating partners or using social media to mimic official accounts are attempting to harvest personal and financial information.