The largest citizen marathon in Japan, the “Tokyo Marathon,” was held for the first time in two years with the participation of approximately 19,000 people, and the tournament was held with infection control measures such as dividing the start into three times.
The “Tokyo Marathon” was virtually canceled last year due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and the event itself has been held for the first time in two years, and the participation of citizen runners has been held for the first time in three years.
While priority measures such as prevention of spread are being applied to Tokyo, all participating runners are obliged to carry out PCR tests in advance.
At the start in front of Tochomae, the start was divided into three times to keep the runners apart, and when Governor Koike of Tokyo rang the gun every 10 minutes, the runners started running all at once.
At the water supply station, volunteers put on gloves, water was prepared, and runners disinfected their hands before receiving them.
Also, to avoid crowds, the staff urged not to support along the road.
At this tournament, the organizer will limit the number of participants from 38,000 before the Corona disaster to 25,000, and then postpone participation because there is a high risk of serious illness for people over 65 years old. As a result of asking, the number of participants on the 6th was regarding 19,000.
Citizen runners who started the marathon with the new Corona also participated in the Tokyo Marathon.
Hiroyuki Watanabe, a 28-year-old office worker from Saitama Prefecture, decided to take on the challenge of the Tokyo Marathon, saying that the goal is high if he wants to move his body because the chances of going out with the new corona have decreased and he has lacked exercise.
Until then, I used to spend my days off by holding events with my friends, but instead, I continued to run five days a week, and as a result, I lost 5 kilograms and became a running companion who might connect online.
According to a survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government last year, regarding 80% of people who started regular exercise were due to the fact that the chances of going out were reduced due to corona and other factors.
The Tokyo Marathon Foundation says, “I hope that the implementation of the tournament following taking measures once morest infection will give us an opportunity to live a healthy life in the corona.”
Mr. Watanabe, who cut the goal of 4 hours and ran in 3 hours 55 minutes 24 seconds, said, “I am grateful that I was able to explore the possibilities and hold the marathon because of the corona sword that continues to refrain from self-restraint. I will go. “
