Corey Aulbach's Staging Area

The race is well organized however ensure you read all announcements that are released. COVID precautions were in place requiring use of a health app and temperature checks starting a week prior to the event. There wasn’t an expo as all race packets were mailed. Race day was well organized with participants placed in corrals. The course was crowded and attempting to PR will be difficult. Additionally if running the course be prepared for a lot of hills to include numerous ones from mile 17 to mile 26. There were plenty of aid stations on the route . The finish however only gave out a banana and water along with a finisher towel and medal. Overall it was a well organized and a good event

This race was well organized but it requires to be chosen by lottery and there is a lot of pre race preparatio not involving running.. If you are going to enter the race and don’t know Japanese prepare to use some sort translation such as Google translate. This race required a week prior temperature checks and health questions concerning COVID that had to be submitted on an App. There was a PCR test also conducted the day prior at the expo. Entering the expo and on race day required having the appropriate QR code’s on your smart phone. I have to say if you got through all the requirements the race was well organized and went real smooth. The runners start in corrals based on registration times which also the corrals were extremely well organized as needed because it is crowded at the start. The race starts and ends in the new National Stadium which was AWESOME and the course is basically out and back on a mostly flat course with a few inclines. Japan is still cautious with taking precautions concerning COVID but it was an enjoyable running through Tokyo.

I have very mixed reviews of this Race. The Expo for such a large city very disappointing. Very few vendors. To watch the Olympic Trials was AMAZING and well organized. The bag check is very crowded and had to wait about 15 minutes to drop my bag so do it early. This course had hill at every turn, not difficult but there was sure a lot so be prepared. The Full and Half Marathoners start and run together before the half breaks into Centenial Park. The course through the city had some nice sites. Finishing in Centenial park was nice but finishing at 4 hours for the marathon the organizers were packing up so not much but to grab your sandwich and chocolate milk. Again I thought a city the size of Atlanta would have more

This is a fast course point to point with only two slight hills early in the course. You ride the bus to the start where you have heaters and/or fires to keep you warm. The scenery during the first half is awesome and you finish in the same area in which you caught the bus. Plenty of sponsors providing food/drinks and massages..etc at the finish. The expo is a little small and the tech shirt is basic but if you want a fast course this is one and the weather is usually great.

Be prepared for a cool start and extreme downhill course however ensure your quads and hamstrings are well prepared for the extreme pounding as there will be some uphills towards towards the end.