I registered for the Tokyo Marathon!

I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I just submitted a registration form for the Tokyo Marathon, held in Tokyo on March 22, 2008!

I wanted to do this marathon this past year, but the registration was already closed when I went to sign up in early September. This year, the date is a bit later, but they only allow 300,000 people to enter the race. However, because it's such a major city, there are always many more applications than spots and runners are pooled into a lottery for space.

The process for signing up is sort of funny. You start on the official webpage and have to read all the rules and regulations and then agree to the terms. OK, fine... that's like renting a video. Well, then you submit a pre-registration form electronically and they email you instructions for a further URL where you can register for real. You have to use a new username and password to get into this page, but that is where you fill out all of your contact and running history details. Then, if the application process goes to the lottery system (which it will), they will contact you if you make it. I am just grateful this race registration is done in English and electronically. Most of the others have involved sending for forms, filling them out in Japanese and then sending a bank transfer (I'm guessing Tokyo will allow credit card payments).

Race registration is also only open between certain dates (it opened on 7/22) and then lottery winners are notified via email in November. If you do make it in, the entry fee for Tokyo is JPY12,000 (about $120) for the Marathon and JPY6,000 ($60) for the 10km Race. Wow, running is definitely one of the most affordable and accessible sports out there, but these races can sure get pricey (especially when you consider getting to Tokyo).

So that's it; now I just have to wait. I'm excited to start training for this run (got adorable new race shoes in America... thanks to Amy & Stacey!), not to mention that am dying to experience Tokyo on foot. I am mostly just nervous that I won't get in. I would like to do the New York Marathon some day, but this would be my first big city race, so I'm pretty pumped about the potential and feel ready. Fingers crossed!


For those of you that are maybe interested in joining, here is a timeline of race events:

July 1 (Tuesday)
Distribution of Tokyo Marathon 2009 Application Guideline

July 22,(Tuesday)
Application process open to general public

September 22,(Monday) - 17:00
Application deadline

Mid-November
Results of the lottery will be announced and the applicants will be notified

Late February,(2009)
Guideline of participation to Tokyo Marathon will be mailed

March 19,(Thursday)
Bib Number Pick UpRunner Check-in at the Tokyo Marathon Expo from 10:00 ~ 19:30 (Tentative)

March 20,(Friday)
Bib Number Pick UpRunner Check-in at the Tokyo Marathon Expo from 10:00 ~ 19:30 (Tentative)

March 21,(Saturday)
Bib Number Pick UpRunner Check-in at the Tokyo Marathon Expo from 10:00 ~ 19:30 (Tentative)

March 22 , (Sunday)
Race Day 9:05 Wheelchair start 9:10 Marathon & 10㎞ start
Starting point: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
9:05 a.m. (Wheelchair division starts)
9:10 a.m. (Marathon, 10km Race starts)