Tokyo Marathon 2023 Photos
Tokyo Marathon 2023 was a great event. If you didn’t know, it is one of the six World Major Marathons. It is a prestigious sporting event. Photographers flock to it. I finally got a chance to attend it. My camera got a workout that day!
Photo gear for Marathon 2023
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm 100-400 mm
How was my marathon day?
First, the marathon course began at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Participants ran their way past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. They visited The Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, and Ginza district. Their goal was Gyoko-Dori near Tokyo Station. 37000 people ran it.
The marathon course started at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Participants ran their way past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. They visited Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, and Ginza district. Their goal was Gyoko-Dori near Tokyo Station. 37000 people ran it.
The race had a seven-hour time limit. That meant participants had to maintain a pace of at least 14 minutes and 10 seconds per mile. Elite athletes didn’t have a problem with that. But many amateurs surely struggled.
This was my first time photographing the Tokyo Marathon. I planned to shoot the start in Shinjuku and near Iidabashi Station. Two spots would be enough for some photos.
When I arrived in Nishi-Shinjuku, the area was already packed. The police presence was huge. Marathon staff were everywhere. Runners were looking for their gates. News helicopters hovered above. It was organized chaos.
My first plan was to situate myself in front of the Washington Hotel to see the start line. But there were too many people. My next stop was the second corner. I found stairs at the KDDI building to get some elevation. They put me above the ground level. I could shoot the first line of runners while being able to see to the back.
The first athletes to start were the wheelchairs. They were so fast! They came around the corner and were at second in lightning speed. I only had time to snap off a few shots. Then they were gone.
Five minutes later, the runners came. It was a sea of athletes. There were thousands and thousands of people. They had come from all over the world to run. I stood in my spot for ten minutes, and they had no end.
I rushed to Shinjuku station to get my train to move to my next spot, Iidabashi Station. That was about 5 kilometers away. The leaders had already passed it by the time I got there. But the river of runners continued to flow. They were endless.
Iidabashi was a letdown in one regard. Photography from the pedestrian bridges over the road wasn’t allowed. That destroyed my plans! It would have been perfect for photos. Anyway, shooting from the roadside was good. With that, I called it a day.
I thought about going to the finish line. But it would have taken time to get there. The leaders would have been long finished by the time I arrived.
If I go in 2024, I might skip the start. The finish line is probably the more exciting option. I have a year to decide anyway! What would you do?
A final note. The number of people wearing costumes or funny hats surprised me. People in Minion suits were sprinkled throughout the participants. Spiderman and Captain America ran. Plenty of people with bunny ears were in the crowd. A bride in her wedding gown was there! Maybe she was lost and looking for her groom? It was fun. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
Tokyo Marathon 2023 Top 5 men’s finishers
- Deso Gelmisa – Ethiopia – 2:05:22
- Esa Mohamed – Ethiopia – 2:05:22
- Getachew Kebede Tsegaye – Ethiopia – 2:05:25
- Titus Kipruto – Kenya – 2:05:32
- Cameron Levins – Canada – 2:05:36
Tokyo Marathon 2023 Top 5 women’s finishers
- Rosemary Wanjiru – Kenya – 2:16:28
- Gemechu Tsehay – Ethiopia – 2:16:56
- Ashete Bekere – Ethiopia – 2:19:11
- Edesa Worknesh – Ethiopia – 2:20:13
- Betsy Saina – USA – 2:21:40
Leave your questions and comments below. If you photographed Tokyo Marathon 2023, tell us about your experience. I’d love to hear from you.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related websites:
- Tokyo Marathon Foundation (official website)