Tokyo Marathon 2011

Let's face it, it'll be crowded wherever you are, but with a little pre-planning and this handy guide, you should be able to keep one step ahead of the action. Grab a bento, and have your Suica card at the ready...

Hibiya Dori: 10 kilometres in
The race gets under starter's orders at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office, but we only recommend heading over there if you like crowds and enjoy not seeing anything. A safer bet is to head to Hibiya Dori, at a point just next to Hibiya Park (see the green arrow on the map below), at about 10.10am (1 hour into the race). You should have time to shout a few useful words of encouragement to the runners before you head on to the next spot.
Nearest station: Kasumigaseki (Chiyoda line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya line) or Hibiya (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)

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Hibiya Dori: 20 kilometres in
To reach the 20 kilometre marker, all you have to do is cross the road (being careful of any stragglers, of course), as the green arrow on the map below demonstrates. A small step for you, but a giant effort for the athletes, the first few of which will probably begin to show up an hour later. Organisers encourage onlookers to support the runners by handing out jelly-like sweets and power bars, providing you don't get too involved, of course.
Nearest station: Kasumigaseki (Chiyoda line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya line) or Hibiya (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)

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Ginza Mitsukoshi: 33 kilometres in
Runners passing the Hibiya Dori mark will take a left at the Ginza 4-Chome intersection, then head for Asakusa. Viewers feeling the cold might like to warm up with a hot tea at the Peninsula Hotel, before heading to our next waiting spot along Harumi Dori, near Ginza Mitsukoshi. Our resident runner (not everyone in this office is a desk slave) tells us that hearing your name yelled can give you the mental kick to keep going, so grab a few key names off our list and yell them at random — you may be helping someone onwards.
Nearest station: Higashi Ginza Station (Asakusa line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya line)

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Tsukuda Ohashi Bridge: 35 kilometres
Tokyo Marathon is a relatively flat course, but after 35 kilometres the runners hit the upward slope of Tsukuda Ohashi Bridge. Although it’s arguably the most difficult terrain on the course, there is rarely anyone around to cheer on the athletes, so bring your megaphone and urge them on — you might even want to offer around a banana or two. Heading over from Ginza, your best bet is to hop on the Yurakucho line at Yurakucho and head over to Tsukishima Station.
Nearest station: Tsukishima (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line)

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Tokyo Big Sight: Finish line
Okay, it's sure to be packed, given that it's the end point, but it's where the atmosphere will be, so head over to Tokyo Big Sight as your final port of call for approximately 11.15am. To get there from Tsukuda Ohashi Bridge, board at Tsukishima Station then change on to the Yurikamome line at Toyosu Station and ride until Kokusai Tenjijo Seimon Station (check), or board at Tsukishima Station, change at Shinkiba Station and ride the Tokyo Rinkai Kosoku Tetsudo Rinkai line to Kokusai Tenjijo Station.

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Time Out Tokyo Marathon guide

Top spots to watch the marathon

Things to do that don't require fitness

10 marathon runners to lend your support to

Top hotel deals for the 2011 Tokyo Marathon

Whacky racer: introducing the inventor of the iRun

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