The Tokyo Marathon Family Run 2026 was held on Sunday, March 1, in the Marunouchi area of Tokyo. This event was created as a fun run for parents and children to enjoy together on the day of the Tokyo Marathon in order to give people of all ages the chance to experience the excitement of the race. After the marathon course change in 2017, the event was held the day before the Tokyo Marathon. But starting from the 2021 race (held March 6, 2022), it returned to being held on race day. This year, a total of 461 pairs, including participants in wheelchairs—922 elementary school students and their guardians—joyfully ran approximately 1km from Marunouchi Naka-dori Ave., part of the official Tokyo Marathon course, to the finish gate at Gyoko-dori Ave. in front of Tokyo Station.

At the opening ceremony held prior to the start, the Komazawa University Athletic Association Cheerleading Squad Blue Pegasus, put on a full-throttle cheering performance, with the three groups of leaders, cheerleaders, and the brass band working together to cheer-up the participants. In addition, M Takashi, a Tokyo Marathon Foundation Sports Legacy Program Charity Ambassador who served as guest MC, enlivened the event with his talk.

This time, the starter was Koji Hayase, director of the Dai-ichi Life Group Women's Running Team, an official partner of the race and event. Director Hayase, who is also a classmate of M Takashi from his Komazawa University Track and Field Team era, called out, "I ran the Family Run with my daughter too. It's a really fun event, so everyone please make wonderful memories with your family." Additionally, as a guest team, members of the Dai-ichi Life Group Women's Running Team, including Ayari Harada and Haruka Kokai, participated. Running the Tokyo Marathon course together with Japan's top-class athletes surely became a good memory for the participating families.

Now, with the horn sounded by Director Hayase, the Family Run finally started! Children dashed out at full speed all at once, with families perfectly coordinated in cute matching outfits, guardians and children waving back to cheers along the course while running. Everyone enjoyed the precious experience of running right through the heart of Tokyo in their own way.

Sixth-grade elementary student Takahiko, who participated wearing his favorite pro baseball team's hat, smiled and said, "It was cold, but getting lots of cheers made me happy." His mother, who participated in matching hats, also said, "It became a good family memory." She seemed satisfied with her first Family Run. The father is participating in the Tokyo Marathon 2026 as a runner, so today the whole family will likely be buzzing with the Tokyo Marathon talk!

Additionally, second-grade elementary student Emiho Hashimoto, who splendidly finished in a wheelchair, smiled and said, "The scenery was very enjoyable." Her father Nobuo said that he ran the Tokyo Marathon in 2017, the year his daughter was born. "Memories came flooding back. My daughter has been living with a wheelchair due to spinal cord infarction, but I want to let her experience various things. I want to keep participating in various parasports with my daughter."

We were blessed with fine weather again from the morning this year, perfect for a family run. The smiles of the kids, dads, and moms sparkled brighter than the sunshine itself.

Thank you to all the families who participated. We look forward to seeing you at the next year's Tokyo Marathon Family Run 2027.