On the day before the Tokyo Marathon 2026, Saturday, February 28, the Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2026, a fun run event aimed at fostering hospitality and exchange for foreigners and runners from overseas was held in the Asakusa area, Tokyo. About 1,800 people from 57 countries and regions participated.

This was the 13th Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run that began in 2012 as a fun run event to promote international exchange between runners from Japan and overseas. With the Taito Riverside Sports Center Athletics Field—close to Senso-ji Temple's Kaminarimon Gate, part of the Tokyo Marathon course—as the start and finish point, participants enjoyed an approximately 5km scenic course along the Sumida River, where Tokyo Skytree can be seen up close.

In the opening ceremony, the Komazawa University Athletic Association Cheerleading Squad Blue Pegasus, sent cheers to the runners with full-power cheer performances. MC Koyata Aso, Katsubenshi (silent film narrator), and M Takashi, Charity Ambassador for the Tokyo Marathon Foundation Sports Legacy Project, livened things up with talk and radio calisthenics. The Friendship Run started!

Runners cruised the Asakusa and Sumida River course at their own pace, soaking in Japan's charming streetscapes while running and building connections with fellow participants. Additionally, a characteristic of the Friendship Run is the noticeable family participation. Family participation stood out, especially among international runners—many parents and children ran side by side. For them, it surely created cherished Tokyo memories extending beyond the individual runners to the whole family.

After finishing the race, participants enjoyed the "Asakusa Experience," another fun part of the Friendship Run. This year, participants experienced Japan's cultural charms through tea ceremony, paulownia kimekomi woodwork, folding screens, rickshaws, and armor.

We asked Joanna from Canada, who was challenging mini folding screen making, for her thoughts. "There were some detailed tasks, so I was nervous, but I really enjoyed it!" She said with a big smile. This is her second participation in both the Tokyo Marathon and Friendship Run, continuing from last year. She seemed to be truly enjoying the Tokyo Marathon and its related events this year as well. Additionally, she said she talks about her experiences in Japan to her daughter. "My daughter has become very interested in Japanese culture. I definitely want to participate with her next year!" Joanna, we look forward to your family participation in 2027!

On the other hand, Kyoichi Kataoka of Kataoka Byobu, second-generation head and Representative Director & Chairman of the company, who cooperated with the Asakusa Experience for the first time this year, also enjoyed exchanges with runners through screen making. "I thought it was a good opportunity to let overseas people know about Japanese culture. Everyone really seems to love Japan, and there were many very friendly people, so it was very fun." Regarding the connection between Asakusa and the Tokyo Marathon, he told us, "Around this time, there's also the traditional event 'Edo Nagashibina' at Azuma-bashi Bridge, so the town gets really excited with the synergistic effect with the Tokyo Marathon."

The Japanese culture experience at the Tokyo Marathon Friendship Run 2026 was made possible with the support of many people, including the Asakusa Merchants Association, Kakinuma (tea ceremony), Hakocho (paulownia kimekomi woodwork), Kataoka Byobu (folding screens), Ebisuya (rickshaws), and Koshigaya Hina Doll Association (armor). We hope that in 2027, we will be able to continue to offer hospitality and exchanges with visitors and runners from overseas, and hold more fun and exciting events.

Thank you to all the runners who participated.