Tokyo Marathon 2025: Fast Feet, Famous Faces & Epic Firsts!

The Tokyo Marathon 2025 was one for the books! On March 2, thousands of runners—some chasing personal bests, others just chasing the dream—took over the streets of Tokyo for one of the most iconic races in the world. With elite athletes, celebrities, weekend warriors, AND a brand-new race category, this marathon had it all.

The Course: A Sightseeing Tour at Full Speed

Tokyo doesn’t just host a marathon—it throws a party on the streets! Runners took off from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, winding past landmarks like the Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate, Ginza, and Nihombashi, before sprinting to the grand finish near Tokyo Station. Imagine running through one of the most futuristic cities on Earth while being cheered on by thousands—talk about main character energy!

The Speed Demons

Elite runners came ready to break records and hearts (for those of us still trying to crack a sub-4 marathon). In the men’s race, Tadese Takele from Ethiopia zoomed to victory with a blazing 2:03:23 finish. Meanwhile, the women’s champion, Sutume Asefa Kebede, absolutely dominated with a 2:16:31 time—proving she’s still the queen of Tokyo.

A Historic First: Duo Teams Take the Streets!

For the first time ever, Tokyo Marathon introduced the Duo Team category, allowing pairs of runners to take on the challenge together! Whether it was friends, family, or teammates, this new category brought a whole new level of teamwork and camaraderie to the race.

Among the standout stories? Shaun and Shamus Evans, a father-son duo from the U.S., raced together, proving that running isn’t just about speed—it’s about heart. They weren’t the only ones; across the course, partners ran side by side, pushing each other to the finish line. Could this be the future of marathon running?

Special Guest Runner: Harry Styles?!

Yep, you read that right! Harry Styles laced up his running shoes and crushed the race with a time of 3:24:07. Not bad for a guy who’s usually seen on stage, not sprinting through Tokyo! His mile pace? A cool 7:47—faster than most of us can dream of running. Swifties and Stylers, time to train for 2026? 👀

Running for a Cause

Tokyo’s marathon isn’t just about speed—it’s about giving back too. Runners like Bethany Peters joined the race to raise funds for World Vision, supporting clean water projects worldwide. It’s always inspiring to see runners pushing themselves for something bigger than just a finish line!

Tokyo Keeps Growing, and So Do the Majors!

Big news for marathon lovers: The Sydney Marathon is officially joining the World Marathon Majors in 2025! That means runners now have another must-run race to add to their bucket list. Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, New York… and now Sydney? Better start saving those frequent flyer miles!

See You at the Start Line?

Whether you’re an elite, a casual jogger, or just here for the vibes, the Tokyo Marathon always delivers. If you didn’t run it this year, maybe 2026 is your year? Until then, keep running, keep dreaming, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll find yourself crossing that famous Tokyo finish line next time!