On February 28, 2025, the "VOLUNTAINER Meeting 2025 ~ Explore, Learn, and Connect for Sustainability through Tokyo Marathon ~" included a talk session titled " Connecting Together! Another Interview Relay (Official Partner: ASICS Japan Corp.)." The event featured Mei Ichinose, a Paralympian who represented Japan in swimming at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics and serves as an ASICS brand ambassador. She spoke with father-and-son team Shaun and Shamus Evans, who competed in the Duo Team* category, which was pilot-tested for the first time in Tokyo Marathon 2025.
*A Duo Team is a two-person team in which one member, who is unable to walk independently due to a permanent physical disability, rides in a customized racing chair, while the other runs, pushing the wheelchair.
■ The great significance of being able to race at an international level
Moderator: Shaun and Shamus, a father and son from the United States, are participating as one of the first Duo Teams being pilot-tested in Tokyo Marathon 2025. Please give them a warm round of applause!
First, let me explain what a Duo Team is. It's a two-person team in which a "rider," who is unable to walk independently due to a permanent physical disability, rides in a customized racing chair, pushed by a "pusher." This format has already been introduced in other Abbott World Marathon Majors, and it's being pilot-tested for the first time at the Tokyo Marathon. Its scheduled start time is 9:05 a.m., the same as the wheelchair race. At the Tokyo Marathon 2025, four Duo Teams with prior experience in other Abbott World Marathon Majors will take part. Guide runners supporting the Duo Teams will run with flags.
Now that you have a sense of what a Duo Team is, let's dive into our conversation. First, what inspired you to start running?
Shaun: I'm Shamus's father and the pusher. We've been running together since he was little, and we started running marathons when he was seven. We've competed in over 50 marathons so far. The Tokyo Marathon is our first international marathon. We're here thanks to the invaluable support of our sponsor, ASICS. We're deeply grateful for their support and proud to compete in the race.
Moderator: Do you have any questions for Shaun and Shamus, Ms. Ichinose?
Ichinose: As a Paralympian, I'm passionate about inclusion and ensuring everyone has the right to participate in events like this. What does it mean to you that Duo Teams are being introduced at the Tokyo Marathon for the first time?
Shamus: We're incredibly grateful to be among the first Duo Teams to run in Tokyo. It means a lot to us to represent inclusion at an international major marathon, not just in our hometown.
Shaun: Shamus has a leg disability that makes it difficult for him to walk or move on his own. So, my wife and I have been discussing, since he was young, how we could help him experience different activities. If he couldn't move, he'd just be a spectator, so by becoming his legs and running together, we've made it this far, to Tokyo. This is something I'm very proud of and thankful for.
Moderator: How much do you usually practice?
Shaun: Shamus is now in college, so we don't practice together as often, but we train together when a race is approaching. We cover about 20 miles per session, including courses with hills. When Shamus is at college, we train separately, but my son Shamus is always my motivation and inspiration.
■I want to see more Duo Teams join in the future
Moderator: What's it like being in Tokyo for the first time?
Shamus: It's been amazing. The past few days of sightseeing in Tokyo have been great, and the food is especially delicious!
Shaun: Shamus has to return to college, so we will leave on Monday, the day right after the race. We'll need to come back to Tokyo again (laughs). This is Shamus's first time in a country outside North America.
Moderator: What do you think of the Tokyo Marathon volunteers?
Shaun: They've welcomed us so warmly, and I'm really grateful. Please give us lots of cheers on race day!
Moderator: Ms. Ichinose, is there anything else you'd like to ask?
Ichinose: You've competed in over 50 marathons, so what keeps you going? What's your motivation, and what do you love about marathons?
Shamus: I really love doing something together with my dad. We both enjoy running marathons, and through them, we get to represent our community, help more people learn about it, and connect with so many others — that's why I love marathons.
Shaun: Spending time together and seeing Shamus take part in major events and communities is incredibly meaningful to me.
Moderator: Do you have any requests for the Tokyo Marathon?
Shaun: First, I'm deeply grateful for being welcomed here. But I don't see this as the finish line. I want to see more Duo Teams join in the future. As such, I view this as just the beginning.
Ichinose: Could we hear a few words from the guide runner (Tokyo Marathon Foundation staff)?
Tokyo Marathon Foundation staff: Sure. Since this is the first time we're trialing Duo Teams, we've been preparing through trial and error. We hope everyone will cheer loudly for the Duo Teams when you see them out on the course. Thank you.
■ Everyone, regardless of their physical condition, has the same right to participate
Moderator: Our time is up, so please share a final message.
Shaun: I'm incredibly grateful to the Tokyo Marathon Foundation, ASICS, and all of you for your support, which has made it possible for us to be here.
Shamus: I'm thrilled about my first Tokyo Marathon and really looking forward to it!
Ichinose:
I'm grateful for the chance to hear about your journey so far. It's truly inspiring, and I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines on race day. Good luck!
Moderator: Thank you. Everyone, please cheer loudly! Time flew by. Ms. Ichinose, after speaking with visually impaired runner Hiroshi Machida, guide runner Hideki Takizawa, Shaun and Shamus, what are your thoughts heading into the race?
Ichinose: Listening to both stories was really fun. I noticed once again—something I had already been aware of during my time as an athlete—that the growing equal treatment of the Olympics and Paralympics has been made possible not only through the participation of the athletes here today and many others, but also through the tireless efforts of everyone involved in the race. This includes volunteers and organizers who have continuously pushed for and supported this progress. As Shaun said earlier, "I'm just grateful to be able to participate. I truly appreciate it," the fact that so many different people, regardless of their physical condition, have the equal right to participate is something truly unique to the Tokyo Marathon. I'm genuinely excited about how this spirit continues to spread and grow. Thank you from me too!
[In conclusion]
The Tokyo Marathon 2025 also introduced initiatives for deaf runners. This includes introducing bibs designed for them for the first time. At the start, a starting light was used to visually indicate the starting gun, and SoundUD provided multilingual subtitles for announcements. Additionally, to support communication for those with visual-hearing impairments and multilingual needs, the use of the UD Talk app was encouraged for volunteer activities.
We aim to create a more inclusive society through Tokyo Marathon, and we will continue to promote sustainability efforts aimed at creating a warm and friendly event that takes into consideration people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community (sexual minorities) in particular.
● Related pages
Another Interview Relay: ASICS Brand Ambassador Mei Ichinose's Sustainability Initiative Experiences during the Tokyo Marathon
Comprehensive Report: VOLUNTAINER Meeting 2025
