Interview Relay 42 Stories of the Tokyo Marathon
〜Connecting Hearts〜

 

Interview Relay: 42 Stories of the Tokyo Marathon ~ Connecting Hearts~

This time, we introduce a wonderful story from Mr. YOONSIC YOO who proposed to his girlfriend after she crossed the finish line in the Tokyo Marathon 2025. 

 

The appealing points of the Tokyo Marathon discovered while cheering. 

――Out of the interview relay articles published now, which one resonated with you the most? At which kilometer mark was that runner featured?

 A story from Mr. Kamino Daichi at the 12 km point resonated with me. I am a runner from South Korea, and visited this year’s Tokyo Marathon 2025 to support my girlfriend who participated in the race. We are both really competitive runners, who are seeking to improve ourselves while running. While supporting my girlfriend in various spots of Tokyo, I found this race as an ideal course for runners. The atmosphere was amazing! It made me feel really wanting to participate in next year’s race. Mr. Daichi’s story has it all, I think. His effort to support runners who are willing to improve is simply amazing, and the reason he founded a running community is a great motivation. Also, I couldn’t agree more that Tokyo has the best course and organization among other Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM).

 

――What is the biggest appeal of the Tokyo Marathon, the point that makes you want to run it?

 The Tokyo Marathon has the best course and the outstanding organization, which is the reason I want to participate in next year’s race.

Personally, I am a Two Star Finisher (2023 Berlin, 2024 Chicago) and as I mentioned earlier, I came to Tokyo to support my girlfriend racing this year’s Tokyo Marathon. While moving from one spot to another, I found out some points that make this race appealing to runners.

1. Great Course

I haven’t run the Tokyo Marathon yet, but found it mostly flat and heard the first 5K is a downhill! It’s such a plus for runners who are aiming for their personal best!

2. Good Operation

I’ve seen a lot of volunteers who were working for the event and the organization was great. Both runners and pedestrians didn’t feel any inconvenience during the event, and it’s really a great factor.

3. Easy access

While moving from one spot to another, because most of the metro stations are near the course, it was easy to access, and I could move on time. I could meet my girlfriend at every spot I went during the race.

 

Let’s propose to my girlfriend at the finish area. 

――Please tell us about a Tokyo Marathon related episode or story that moved you.

 

From now on, I’m going to tell you my story about what happened in Tokyo this year.

Telling about me and my girlfriend, we met each other in the Berlin Marathon 2023, and our relationship started a month after that. Luckily, I participated in last year’s Chicago Marathon, but my girlfriend couldn’t. And this year, she won a ballot for the Tokyo Marathon and one idea came to my mind that I should propose to her at the finishing point of the Tokyo Marathon. I prepared everything secretly while she was preparing for the race. Finally, the race day came, and I supported her race at the 15 km and 30 km points and moved to Tokyo Station to meet her at the finish line. When I saw her after the finish line, I gave her a hug and showed her a box that I prepared. She was nervous because of this unexpected event, but soon said “Yes”.

Everyone around us cheered for us and for the accomplishments she had made and our marriage.

This year’s Tokyo Marathon was the event that I will never forget in my whole life.

 

Hard to believe a history of the Tokyo Marathon is still just 20 years. 

――The Tokyo Marathon will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027. To become the world’s best race, what are your expectations for the Tokyo Marathon, or what improvements would you like to see?

 I can’t believe that the Tokyo Marathon has only about 20 years of history. I thought it had been held way before 2007.

In my opinion, hopefully, more participants will race in the Tokyo Marathon. What I would like to propose to the Tokyo Marathon organizers is to consider ways to allow more people to participate in this incredible event.

 

――What does the Tokyo Marathon mean to you? #MyTokyoMarathon is…?

 Tokyo Marathon 2025 became an unforgettable race where my love and passion came to fruition. I hope I’ll have the chance to run the Tokyo Marathon next year, carrying the incredible memories of 2025 with me.