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

 

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

Introducing, Ms. Wakana Fukushima, an official supporter of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation’s official club, “ONE TOKYO.” Ms. Fukushima is a repeat Tokyo Marathon runner and has contributed to the event in many ways. We discussed the appeal of the Tokyo Marathon from her perspective and what she hopes to see as the race moves forward to its 20th-anniversary event.

Live broadcast while running the Tokyo Marathon 2011

 

――Ms. Fukushima, you’ve been involved with the Tokyo Marathon in various ways, including becoming an official supporter of “ONE TOKYO,” a membership-based running club organized by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation in 2020. Could you tell us about the background leading up to that and how you first encountered the Tokyo Marathon?

 In 2011, Nippon Broadcasting System was broadcasting the Tokyo Marathon, and I was selected as a reporter. That was my first involvement. At the time, I had a regular program on the Nippon Broadcasting System. I wasn’t particularly fast, but I loved running, and I also loved talking, so I was incredibly happy to be given this role.
I started running and did a live broadcast while running. I reported on the progress of the marathon and interviewed many of the runners. It was a very new and enjoyable experience to convey the state of the race and my own feelings and also to hear about the goals and feelings of each runner. I vividly remember thinking, “I want to continue conveying the excitement of marathons!”
The more I ran, the more I fell in love with marathons, and as I ran various races, I started to feel, “Someday, I want to achieve my personal best at the Tokyo Marathon!” Then, at the Tokyo Marathon 2017, I achieved my personal best. At the Tokyo Marathon 2019, I achieved a sub-3-hour time for the third time. Following that, through events and other opportunities, I was appointed as a “ONE TOKYO Official Supporter.” I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share the joy of running and the appeal of the Tokyo Marathon through the training sessions and events held by ONE TOKYO!

 

――From your perspective, how do you view the significance and value of the Tokyo Marathon within the running market and society?

 I believe there are absolutely no downsides to running!
“As long as you have shoes and apparel, you can run anytime, anywhere.” “You can maintain your physical fitness and body shape.” “Food and drinks taste even better.” “You encounter new friends and scenery.” “You can maintain a spirit of challenge no matter your age.” I think the running market will continue to grow even more, especially in the larger context of maintaining health. Many people around me have also started running, and I believe more and more people are thinking about the importance of exercise.

Moreover, the marathon in Tokyo, Japan’s largest city, is an event that attracts attention not only domestically but also from around the world. Even people who weren’t previously interested in running will learn about the Tokyo Marathon, and by seeing or experiencing it even a little, they’ll indeed be moved, thinking, “I want to try something challenging too!” or “Is there something I can do?” The power of sports is limitless! I believe that through this major event called the Tokyo Marathon, as many people as possible can become more positive.

 

To live a wonderful running life

 

――From your personal perspective, what do you find appealing about the Tokyo Marathon? Why do you think runners want to run the Tokyo Marathon and are so excited about it?

 What a joy it is to be able to run through the streets of the metropolis of Tokyo as if they’re reserved just for us! The race course is also flat and easy to run, and it’s certainly one of the reasons for its popularity that runners can aim for good times. You start from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, go around the city, and finish at Tokyo Station, a symbol and famous landmark of Tokyo! Running through places you live in or have visited many times gives you a sense of security because you know them, but it also offers new discoveries. 

Also, there are people cheering along the course seamlessly, giving us their enthusiastic support. At the aid stations, the volunteers always provide water and other supplies, and they call out to us. I really feel that the “runners,” “supporters,” and “cheerers” become one, and the whole of Tokyo is filled with excitement and joy. 

Thanks to that, we can run safely and with peace of mind, and I’ve even been moved to tears a few times by everyone’s presence and support (laughs). I’m very much looking forward to seeing the unique stories that unfold each year for the 38,000 runners and everyone involved, and when I think about it, I’m filled with gratitude!

 

――You have many opportunities to interact with ONE TOKYO members. What have you sensed about their feelings and passion for the Tokyo Marathon?

 Some members say, “I’d like to participate in the Tokyo Marathon as a fun run,” but I think the vast majority say, “I want to achieve my personal best at the Tokyo Marathon.” I realized that, for runners, the timing is indeed ideal. 

For autumn races, it’s quite difficult to train hard during the hot summer months, and it’s challenging to get into your best condition, including managing your physical health. But with a March event, you can start training when it starts to cool down, making it much easier to prepare both physically and mentally. 

The temperature on race day varies from year to year, but it’s often ideal for runners. Furthermore, the course is flat, offering many factors that contribute to achieving a personal best. In addition, there are various special offers and services available before and after the race, like the Running Festa, pre-Tokyo Marathon races and challenges, and the EXPO that everyone can enjoy, which I think greatly boosts motivation. 

On top of that, the race is safe and secure, with a lot of support and cheering, and you can really feel the spirit of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality). I feel that this is a world-class race, the embodiment of an ideal event that runners dream of!

 

――You have participated in and been involved with various races. Could you tell us about the motivations of runners, both for running in general and for races (not limited to the Tokyo Marathon)?

 It’s very important to have a balance, rather than constantly pushing yourself to train hard every day or always running at full speed in every race. I think that’s the key to maintaining motivation for running. 

For example, for one race, you might decide to enjoy the local food and drinks, run slowly while taking in the scenery, and chat with friends without worrying about your time. For another race, you might decide to go all-out and aim for a personal best. In this way, you can decide on fun runs and target races within your annual running calendar, and for the races where you’re aiming for a record, you do specific marathon training. If you don’t reach your target time, you can set new goals and make a new plan. I think that’s a good approach. 

If you’re constantly aiming for records, you can get discouraged if you get injured or don’t run as well as you hoped. So, I think it’s important to have on-and-off periods. Being able to continue running long-term without injury also contributes to maintaining good health. If you come to love running and enjoy it, you can maintain high motivation and live a wonderful running life, I believe.

 

Personal Best 2:57:59 at the Tokyo Marathon 2017!

 

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

 As I mentioned earlier, the Tokyo Marathon was the first race where I reported live while running. And, more than anything, it’s a memorable race for me because it’s where I achieved my personal best. My first marathon took over 5 hours, and I failed to break 4 hours several times, but from there, I gradually improved my time. Sub-4, sub-3.5, 3:15, 3:09, 3:06, 3:03… little by little, my times decreased, and at the 2017 Tokyo Marathon, I was able to run a 2:57:59! 

It just so happened that 2017 was the first year with the new course, with the finish line changing from Tokyo Big Sight to Tokyo Station. The uphill section and headwind at the end were quite challenging, but the new course was flat and easy to run, and with the finish line at Tokyo Station, I could feel the city of Tokyo even more. Especially on the final cobblestone section, there were many cheers, and the distance to the spectators was very close, making me feel like I was the star of the show (laughs). I think that whoever runs it will say, “It was easy to run!” and “It was great!” 

The Tokyo Marathon has produced many great records, and I really hope that many people will challenge themselves to achieve their personal bests there!

 

――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?

 Aiming for number one in the world is fantastic! Whatever you do, it’s best to be number one if you’re going to do it (laughs). The Tokyo Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, so the number of runners participating from overseas is increasing year by year, which shows how much attention it’s getting. It would make me proud as a Japanese person if they said, “JAPAN is the best!” and “TOKYO is the best!” I want to welcome them warmly and kindly, with the spirit of omotenashi. 

On the other hand, while it’s wonderful that participants come from all over the world, the more popular it becomes, the higher the lottery odds, so I’m a little worried that the chances of Japanese runners being able to run might decrease. It’s a wonderful problem to have because it’s such a great race that many people want to participate (laughs). I want as many people as possible to run and experience the Tokyo Marathon, so I sometimes wonder if it would be possible to hold it twice a year… I know that’s a lot to ask (laughs). I’m really excited to see how the race will continue to grow!

 

Running brings nothing but good things

 

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

 It’s the culmination of a year’s worth of marathon training! In terms of everyday life, it’s like New Year’s Eve… (laughs). It’s the race that changed my life, so it’s fate, gratitude, something special – I have many emotions about it. At the Tokyo Marathon, I give it my all for the entire year, and then I make a fresh start. It’s both the goal of one year and the start of the next. 

I’ve been very frustrated lately because I haven’t been able to update my personal best, but I definitely want to challenge my past record again at the Tokyo Marathon. It’s because of the Tokyo Marathon that I can keep pushing myself, and I want to continue running, so I will absolutely not give up! I believe that I can still improve my record together with the Tokyo Marathon, which is my life’s motivation, and I want to keep moving forward!

 

―― Do you have any expectations for the future Tokyo Marathon? What initiatives would you like the organization to take on or collaborate with to promote the running culture?

 I believe that running brings nothing but good things. I believe that if the running population increases, people and cities will become healthier, and there will be more smiles (laughs). 

There are still many people who are resistant to actually running or feel that it’s too difficult. I understand that it can feel like a hassle to get started, and you might wonder why you need to put yourself through such effort. But if people don’t move and don’t use their muscles and cardiovascular system, they quickly decline. I’d be happy if people could start by running for just 10 minutes a day for their health and make it a habit. 

And, of course, I want to help those who are already running and want to improve their times through training sessions and other activities. Someday, I hope to help create a stage where runners can demonstrate the results of their hard work at the Tokyo Marathon or related Tokyo Marathon events. I also enjoy activities other than running, as well as food and travel, so I think it would be great to create fun and challenging health projects that connect with running.

――Please tell us any other thoughts you have about the Tokyo Marathon.

 Thank you so much for holding the Tokyo Marathon! 

I’ve already conveyed my passionate feelings, but… if I were to say it again, I want to run each step with gratitude for being able to run and for being allowed to run. And I want to continue to challenge myself!