As one of the art projects exploring the possibilities of art and sports in the Tokyo Marathon 2026, the "Drawing Runner Exhibition" was held on Sunday, March 1, the same day as the Tokyo Marathon 2026.
Students (artists) from the Tokyo University of the Arts captured the dynamic start of the runners and the vibrant atmosphere at the starting line in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building through quick croquis sketches in just 30 minutes. These works were exhibited on the same day as the "Drawing Runner Exhibition" at the Tokyo International Forum on the same day.
*Croquis refers to the act of quickly drawing a subject, or the drawing itself produced in this way.
This project was conceived as a way to create an opportunity to combine art and sports during a conversation, which was part of the official program for the Tokyo Marathon 2024, between Tokyo University of the Arts President Katsuhiko Hibino and the Tokyo Marathon Foundation's Chairman Tadaaki Hayano. It was held for the first time at the 2024 race.
How did Tokyo University of the Arts students capture and express the runners' physical exertion, inner emotions, and the vibrant atmosphere as each began their 42.195km journey? What fresh artworks emerged from performing croquis with a sporting approach within such a tight time limit?
This was the third time the Drawing Runner Exhibition was held, and 8 first-year students from the Department of Design at Tokyo University of the Arts participated. Here are the unique, individual works created in just 30 minutes!
Mao Sato
"Seeing the runners right in front of me, feeling the ground vibrations and wind on my skin as they ran by, was a really great experience. While watching the runners' forms as they ran, I focused on picking out and drawing standout points or moments that caught my eye, like colorful sunglasses, hands raised toward cameras, vibrant shoes, and confetti."
Aoi Yoshioka
"This was my first time seeing a marathon up close, so I was surprised by the energy. Usually I draw stationary things, so drawing moving people was fresh. I expressed the trajectories, flows, and sways of moving people, but actually, I drew by moving my hand while looking almost entirely at the runners without looking at the paper. Even so, it's interesting that it still looks properly like people in the drawing. I thought drawing moving things is really beneficial, and it was a valuable experience."
Yuki Saji
"I was warming up myself while watching the runners warm up (laughs). I sensed the runners' colors in my own way and drew using pastels. Rather than drawing each one faithfully, I wanted the temperature and momentum of the scene to appear in the lines, so I drew roughly as if I were running with them. I'm really pleased with the finished work, as it expresses a refined simplicity. This was my first time seeing a marathon, so I didn't want to miss a single moment, and I performed croquis with just that feeling."
Yumi Hanari
"It has been really sunny since this morning, so I first tried to express that freshness. Then, the runners each had such individuality, yet there was a sense of unity and dynamism as they all ran toward the same place, which moved me, so I drew the crowd as the main focus. I had no idea how the completion would turn out, so there was a mix of excitement and tension. But the experience of putting what I felt directly into the drawing was really valuable. Actually, I'm having a solo exhibition in Fukushima in March, so I want to use today's experience to draw good pictures and exhibit them."
Mai Okubo
"The runners were incredibly fast (laughs), so I was desperate to keep up, feeling like I was running myself, and it was fun. This was my first time drawing moving people on-site. This time, I wanted to capture it like a slow-motion photo, so I drew with crayons. But it made me think about expanding expressions in various ways. The finished work is, well, the best. Until now, I've been the type to think carefully and draw slowly, but just starting to move my hand led to new discoveries. So I think I can connect that to future artwork creation."
Noe Horiguchi
"Drawing runners passing by so quickly was a first, and seeing a marathon from the start point was also a first, so I approached it with a very fresh feeling. Without deciding in advance what to draw, I naturally drew the runners' trajectories by sending the movements I felt and the information I saw directly to my hand. I think I was able to express the point of drawing the information I saw in my own way fairly well. This was my first Tokyo Marathon, but the positive emotions from the runners really came through, and it was a fun day that energized me too."
Kosei Yamada
"This was my first experience drawing running people on-site, and with so many people, I panicked at first wondering what to draw (laughs). Ultimately, I focused on each person's individuality and expressions, capturing and highlighting the spirit of runners. Even though they were about to run 42km, some people had huge smiles. That was mysterious, but once I understood from their expressions that that's the kind of sport it is, I wanted to capture that. This was my first time seeing the Tokyo Marathon live, but it was like a festival, really great. I thought the atmosphere where everyone could participate as players was wonderful, and there were all kinds of people, making it rewarding to draw!"
Sho Suzuki
"I used to do track and field and ran in ekiden relays, so I wanted to draw while recalling those times. After all, runners shine brightest when running, so I wanted to depict that shining part. I think I was able to draw overall with strong light and shadow contrasts, making the running poses look coolest and enhancing the sense of speed. This was my first time seeing the Tokyo Marathon live on-site. Since I used to run myself, seeing the runners brought up emotions, and I was moved while drawing."
The Tokyo Marathon will continue to work towards the realization of a community well-being society with art projects. Through the combination of Art x Sports, as well as involving various people, things and events, we will appeal to young people and create opportunities for children to become interested in sports and other physical activities. And by collaborating with experts in the varied fields of art, creation, and technology, together we will gaze at a new generation as we dynamically develop together. Please keep an eye out for our future activities!
Following on from 2025, three more Tokyo University of the Arts students took on the full 42.195 km at the Tokyo Marathon 2026.
The students will attempt to express through art the experiences and memories of running through the streets of the Tokyo Metropolis, their extraordinary journey of running the Tokyo Marathon, as well as their pain and inner conflict in completing a full marathon.
What kind of art works will these students, who are both runners and artists, create from their experiences and memories after finishing the Tokyo Marathon? Please look forward to their new creations.
[Participating Students]
• Department of Crafts, 4th-year undergraduate: Yo Ichimaru
• Global Art Practice, 1st-year MA: Yuki Namerikawa
• Crafts Concentration 2nd-year Master: Akari Nishizawa
You can also watch a video of the Tokyo University of the Arts students (artists) creating their croquis in just 30 minutes. Enjoy seeing them capture the runners' dynamism and the venue's electric energy right there on the spot.
▶Drawing Runner Creation Scene (Video)
https://youtu.be/YIawXd87d6Q
Additionally, the Art Project that explores the possibilities of "Art × Sports" undertaken by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation is also introduced on a dedicated page.
▶Tokyo Marathon Art Project
https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/about/art-project/
