Sustainable Projects through Tokyo Marathon 2020

In effort to reach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), not only through charity and sports volunteering, but also through projects such as Clothing Reuse Project (Yofuku Post) or repurposing the event flag, the Tokyo Marathon Foundation will continue to launch different projects to incorporate sustainability within the Tokyo Marathon.

New! World’s first! The aid station cups to be made out of LIMEX!

Starting from Tokyo Marathon 2020, the aid station cups previously made out of recycled wood-chips will be replaced by cup made out of Japan patent material LIMEX, a break through material that is solely made from limestone that uses hardly little water when in producing. By using this material, excessive amount of water and trees will be saved in comparison to using a wood-based material. Furthermore, upcycling the LIMEX can lead to replacement of plastic materials, ultimately leading to sustainable environment using less usage of petroleum-derived plastic. This is world’s first to provide aid station cups made out of LIMEX at a marathon event.

Aid station cups made of LIMEX will be used at
All water aid stations at the start and along the course. Recycling bins will be located at each aid station and we encourage all runners to cooperate in recycling.

About the revolutionary material ”LIMEX”
LIMEX is Japan patent material made out of calcium carbonate and other inorganic filler materials consisting 50% or more inorganic component. To produce 1 ton of paper, approximately 85 tons of water and roughly 20 trees is necessary, but in replacing, the LIMEX requires no trees or water, and instead uses approx. 0.6-0.8 tons of limestone and approx. 0.2-0.4 tons of polyolefin to produce same amount of paper-like material (LIMEX sheet).

New! “Universal Changing Room” Installed

To realize inclusive society through sports, changing rooms that is more freely accessible and designed with greater consideration for people with disability and members of all gender identities (LGBTQ)will be installed as “Universal Changing Room”.

Installed Locations
- 10km Finish
- Marathon Finish
　Tokyo International Forum, Otemachi Place, Otemachi Financial City,
　The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Grand Hall

Tokyo Marathon Foundation has signed a partnership with the Pride House Tokyo on September 19th with the interest in enhancing mass sporting event by delivering improved operation.

Clothing Reuse Project

Collaborating with the NPO Yofukupost Network Meeting, Clothing Reuse Project is carried by introducing “Yofuku Post” to collect clothing that is still in good condition to be shipped and distributed to secondhand markets outside of Japan, providing the opportunity in delivering it to the people in need.
*Total of 3,740 kg/26,180 yen donated to the Tokyo Goodwill Bank (Tokyo Council of Social Welfare) in 2019

Repurposing the Marathon Flags

The flags manufactured for the Tokyo Marathon 2020 will be repurposed as bags. The bags will be created at fabric manufacturing company that employs people with disabilities.
The bags will be available for purchase at JOGPORT ARIAKE, and we will donate a portion of the profits to Tokyo Goodwill Bank (Tokyo Council of Social Welfare).
*Total of 212,250 yen (as of October 2019) will be donated to the Tokyo Goodwill Bank (Tokyo Council of Social Welfare) in 2019

No-Baggage Runners

We welcome No-Baggage Runners who choose not to check baggage on the race day during the entry to the event.
In exchange, we will provide original poncho at the finish for them to wear as they leave the venue.
We are working to reduce CO₂ emissions by reducing the number of trucks used to transport runners' baggage.

Use of Electric Motorcycles

Supported by BMW

We are working to reduce CO₂ emissions and will continue to use electric motorcycles with in the event.

Use of Plant-Based Synthetic Fabric

Ecodear® by Toray

We will use environmentally friendly synthetic fibers derived from plants as fabric for volunteer wear and EXPO bags.

Introducing "My Entry" (going paperless)

“My Entry” webpage is automatically created for all registered runners, allowing the runners to review Runners Guide and race records that were previously printed and mailed.

Tokyo Marathon Charity

We hope to provide the people who run, support and cheer on the Tokyo Marathon the opportunities to think about social contribution and provide an opportunity to make a social change. Through this, we hope to link all individual hearts to the society.

See more details, click here.