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

 

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

Mr. Tadaaki Hayano, the Chairman / CEO of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation, plays a role as a “Starter” of this project.

 

Mr. Hayano has supported the Tokyo Marathon since its foundation, having held several positions including the PR Manager and Race Director. He shared his thoughts on the Interview Relay project as well as what the Tokyo Marathon means to him.

 

My Tokyo Marathon is… 42 Stories of the Tokyo Marathon ~Connecting Hearts~

Could you tell us what this project is about and what you hope to convey through this project?

 

In 2027, the Tokyo Marathon will celebrate its 20th anniversary. When we first started in 2007, we were still figuring things out as we went along, and in 2013 we became one of the world’s major marathons (Abbott World Marathon Majors). Through the various history and processes, we have become a seasonal tradition in Tokyo, held each year. We’ve grown into a truly world-class marathon, with almost half of our runners coming to compete from overseas. The Tokyo Marathon Foundation sees the 20th marathon as an important milestone and aims to develop the marathon even further over the decade to come.

 

In this Interview Relay project, we aim to connect thoughts of people who want to run and support the Tokyo Marathon and to ask runners, volunteers, people involved in the marathon, supporters and others who have supported the Tokyo Marathon about “My Tokyo Marathon is…? – What does the Tokyo Marathon mean to you?”

– “Why does it have to be the Tokyo Marathon?”

– “Why do you want to run the Tokyo Marathon?”

– “Why do you keep volunteering for the Tokyo Marathon?”

– “Why do you support the Tokyo Marathon?”

 

As we approach to the 20th anniversary in 2027, we are working to make the Tokyo Marathon the finest marathon in the world, held in Tokyo, the finest city in the world, based on the Tokyo Marathon Foundation’s three pillars that are “The safest and most secure race in the world,” “The most exciting race in the world” and “The warmest and most friendly race in the world.” We are also hoping to make everyone aware that we want to create this marathon together with all the participants as well as to confirm and rediscover the value and the meaning of existence of the Tokyo Marathon and to convey the meaning of holding the race and attractive aspects of it to many more people.

 

 

You’re the first one, the “Starter” of this Interview Relay project. What kind of message would you like the coming 41 people to connect to or convey?

 

I am sure there is a plenty of “good” ideas out there which we, the operators of the race, could never think of. We are hoping to create the Tokyo Marathon together with everyone, so it would be wonderful if all the stakeholders give candid opinions from different perspectives, generating an opportunity for further development.

 

 

 So, what does the Tokyo Marathon mean to you?

 

I’ve had a lot of different experiences in my life, and sports have always played a main role. I believe that our society could become even better as sports consistently come into the center of the society. It may sound like an exaggeration, but I am proud to state that the Tokyo Marathon now has become the important factor in Japanese society. What we have implemented in the Tokyo Marathon every year as a means to support the happiness of people, is the masterpiece of my career. I hope that you will use it as a platform to create your own stories and also as a stage to perform “My Tokyo Marathon” rather than as the masterpiece of my own.

 

The Tokyo Marathon simply provides a safe, exciting and welcoming premium stage. I hope that you will use the stage to create and edit your own stories. That’s the message from me to you who will take part in the “My Tokyo Marathon is…” project. What we have done to provide the wonderful stage to you is also the masterpiece of my work. I look forward to stories created and edited by you. “SHOW YOUR STORY.”

 

 

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