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

 

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

Introducing,  Mr. Ryotaro Ohtani, the representative of TRYING RUNNING CLUB, a running community based on the concept of “people of all ages, genders, and abilities strive for their own goals and respect each other, regardless of speed.’

We asked him about the appeal and value of the Tokyo Marathon from the perspective of a community organizer, the changes the Tokyo Marathon has brought to the city and running culture, and his vision for spreading the joy of running and exercising in the future.

Transforming the running’s image: from ‘grueling’ to ‘cool’

 

――From the perspective of a running community organizer, how do you view the significance and value of the Tokyo Marathon?

 Our community is primarily based in Tokyo, but we also have activities in Osaka and Nagoya. However, the Tokyo Marathon, where you can run through the metropolis of Tokyo, is a race everyone in our community aspires to run. Because it’s such a coveted race, many members are motivated to train more seriously for it, and I’m one of them this time! (laughs). The fact that you get to run right through the heart of Tokyo, the city where we live our daily lives, makes the Tokyo Marathon overwhelmingly more appealing than other races, in my opinion.

 

―As the Tokyo Marathon has started and has become one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, what changes have you noticed in the running culture?

 I’ve been a competitive runner throughout high school, university, and in the corporate leagues, always striving for the top. I believe the Tokyo Marathon has been a turning point, making the sport of marathon perceived as ‘cool.’
Back in my student days, many of my friends and acquaintances saw long-distance running as grueling, painful, and even a form of punishment. I was often asked, ‘Why do you run?’ Running, especially long-distance, had that kind of negative image. However, with the start of the Tokyo Marathon – a race unlike any other in Japan, allowing people to run through the heart of Tokyo – and with top athletes as well as people’s own friends and family participating, running and supporting runners became more relatable and accessible. I believe that their dedication and hard work moved those who cheered on the runners, and this is what gradually changed the perception of running. I think, and I certainly hope, that people who previously associated running with hardship have come to see running and the earnest effort put forth by runners as something ‘cool’ by cheering for the Tokyo Marathon.

 

――What do you find appealing about the Tokyo Marathon? Why do you think runners want to run the Tokyo Marathon?

 As a runner, the Tokyo Marathon is special to me, and the chance to run through the heart of Tokyo, a city I love, is irreplaceable. It evokes a similar feeling to the Hakone Ekiden race, a popular, multi-stage university relay race held in Japan over the New Year. After graduating from university, I aimed for the Olympics, and the Tokyo Marathon is becoming a special goal on par with that. The Tokyo Marathon is a place to prove that all the daily effort and dedication you’ve put in has been worthwhile, even with the nerves on race day. The fact that this ‘proving ground’ is the city of Tokyo, where we live our everyday lives – streets usually filled with cars, areas bustling with tourists – that’s what makes it so special. The Tokyo Marathon is a truly special event.

 

A sense of unity, bringing runners and supporters together

 

――Please tell us about a memorable story you have related to the Tokyo Marathon.

 As a competitive runner, I was always the one being cheered on, and I rarely had the opportunity to cheer for others. However, as I started managing our running community, I found myself supporting our members and friends more and more. Among all the races, the Tokyo Marathon stood out – I realized it was a race I wanted to run myself, not just support.

The reason is that I felt a particularly strong sense of unity between the runners and the supporters at the Tokyo Marathon. The cheers from the roadside felt like more than just encouragement; they felt like a force pushing each runner forward. I had this feeling that the runners and supporters were creating the race together as one.

The vibrant atmosphere throughout the course also fosters this sense of unity, doesn’t it? The excitement before the start, the intense focus during the race, the sense of accomplishment and relief at the finish line – I felt like I was sharing all these moments with the people lining the course and the friends who were cheering, even as a supporter myself. This year, I want to experience that feeling from the runner’s perspective.

 

――The Tokyo Marathon Foundation has set a vision of the “Tokyo Marathon, the best marathon in the world, held in Tokyo, the best city in the world” based on three pillars: “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.” What is your view on this?

 I haven’t participated in other major marathons overseas, so I can’t make a direct comparison, but I think the Tokyo Marathon Foundation has probably already achieved the goals they’ve set. A Tokyo Marathon that’s even more exciting than it already is? A small-minded guy like me can’t even imagine it! (laughs)

Of the three pillars, the one that resonates with me the most is ‘The warmest and most friendly race in the world.’ The support from the crowds along the course was truly heartwarming and gave me strength. I’m incredibly grateful to all those people who stood out there cheering for hours in the cold. And the dedicated support of the volunteers, I believe, is a true symbol of the race’s warmth.

 

Importance of ‘continuity’ in a changing world

 

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

 It’s a race I aspire to, a race I feel I should run, and a race I want to see continue for future generations. Until now, I’ve always been a spectator, cheering from the sidelines. But this time, I have the opportunity to participate, and I’m sure I’ll have even more thoughts and feelings after I cross the finish line. I’m even nervous just answering this question now! That’s how much this race means to me (laughs).

 

――Do you have any expectations for the future Tokyo Marathon? What would you like to see as a way to further promote the running culture?

 What I hope for the Tokyo Marathon is, quite simply, ‘to continue.’ I believe that continuing something in a constantly changing world is incredibly difficult. Running itself is a simple act, but as we get older and our lifestyles change, we realize both the difficulty and, more importantly, the importance of consistency. I hope to contribute, in my own small way, to the running culture and the running industry so that the Tokyo Marathon can continue to build a wonderful legacy. As for promoting running culture, I’d like to work with everyone, adapting to changing times to figure out the best way forward!

 

――How does TRYING RUNNING CLUB plan to spread running and what sort of activities does it plan to conduct? Please share with us the future prospects. 

 Taking my participation in the Tokyo Marathon as a starting point, TRYING RUNNING CLUB hopes to share the joy and benefits of running with even more people. We plan to hold running clinics for beginners, as well as events that combine running with other sports and contribute to invigorating the community through running. Furthermore, we also plan to support runners who aim to participate in large-scale races like the Tokyo Marathon.