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. James Wylie who was reunited with a friend of 20 years thanks to the Tokyo Marathon.

 

The Tokyo Marathon reunified us after many years. 

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

 The interview that resonated with me the most was “Changed my life and my reason to persevere every day” by Yuna Nitta.

I was deeply moved by how Nitta-san, as a staff member of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation, is dedicated to ensuring that every participant enjoys the race, achieves their goals, and stays safe throughout the event.

 

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

 The Tokyo Marathon’s concept, “The Day We Unite.” resonates very strongly with me and is a reason I want to participate in the Tokyo Marathon.

When I was young, my family home in the UK served as a homestay for international students. One year, a Japanese man stayed with us, and we built a truly special friendship. Learning about Japan from a young age sparked my curiosity about its culture and people. The following year, after he returned to Tokyo, his younger brother also came to stay with us, living in my hometown for a year to study English.

During that time, I learned so much about Japan, its natural beauty, and even picked up a little bit of the language. We kept in touch by email, and thanks to their influence, I decided to participate in the Tokyo Marathon through a charity. Over 20 years later, we reunited and shared a home-cooked meal the night before the race at their home in Tokyo, along with other old friends.

The Tokyo Marathon brought us back together after two decades, and that reunion with lifelong friends is one of the many reasons I wanted to run the race. I also hope to run again to see them once more. For me, this perfectly embodies the spirit of “The Tokyo Marathon brings us together.”

 

I can’t believe there’s a Japanese runner wearing a Brighton shirt!

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

 My hometown in the UK is Brighton. I’ve been a fan of Brighton & Hove Albion my whole life, following them from a small team on the verge of extinction and bankruptcy, to climbing the leagues to now compete in the Premier League. Brighton presently has a Japanese footballer playing for the team by the name of Karou Mitoma. He is a huge star in Japan. So much so that when I was running the Tokyo Marathon, I saw a Japanese runner wearing a Brighton Football shirt. When I was young, I never would have dreamt that Brighton shirts would be being worn by locals in Japan supporting the team. The theme again of “Unite” resonated with me here and I shouted “Seagulls!” (Brighton’s nickname) as I ran past him. He smiled, laughed and shouted it back at me. This helped me with a burst of energy, seeing my hometown team being supported. And I hope for him that he got a little motivation boost too. For that brief moment in passing, we were united.

 

――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 know many people from outside of Japan are extremely interested in visiting and learning about the culture, and seeing the city. Being able to run through the streets of Tokyo, cheered on by the crowds is a great feeling. For the 20th event in 2027, it would be great if the event could accommodate more participants, particularly from overseas, so the event can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, helping to grow interest in Japan, and making it one of the largest marathons in the world.

 

We challenge, receive support and unite together towards the same goal.

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

 The ability to challenge ourselves, to be supported by friends and strangers alike, and to unite in pursuit of a shared goal—this is what the Tokyo Marathon represents to me. Many runners and spectators may not speak the same language, but during the marathon, I truly feel that we don’t need words to connect. Because we share the same goal through running, we understand one another on a deeper level. In that moment, the city and its people become one.