Tokyo Marathon 2011

Only 36,000 get to run in the Tokyo Marathon, but there are still plenty of things to get involved in whether you own a pair of running shoes or not.

Before the race...

Tokyo Marathon trains
Even the railways are getting in on the action! Both the Tokyo Metro Ginza line and Marunouchi line are running marathon-themed locomotives, with window stickers and hung posters, and even a staff of "supporters" trying to give you drinks. If that's not enough to make you feel as though you've stepped into someone else's peculiar, running-themed dream, the hand straps have been made to look like small supporting flags and finishing tape has been plastered across the doors. Mental.
Tokyo Marathon trains run every hour until the February 28 on both Tokyo Metro Ginza and Marunouchi lines

Tokyo Marathon Expo 2011
Prior to this race, at the point where runners register, there are a variety of exhibitions and stalls in operation. For starters, you'll find a large message board where everyone who wants to can leave a message. If that's not whacky enough for you, look out for a fake photo finish, where you can have your photo taken as though you're about to break the finishing ribbon. The trophy is also on display, surrounded by just under 100 booths giving away samples (bring your eco bag with you). Look out for Puma, Nike, and...er... the Administrative Raisin Committee.
The Marathon Expo runs between February 24 and February 26 at Tokyo Big Site, open daily from 11am to 9pm (last entry, 8.30pm)

Adidas "Run Night" with Haile Gebrselassie
As you'll see in our list of runners to look out for, Haile Gebrselassie is on his way to join the Tokyo Marathon, and this event has been set up to tie in with his visit. Offering keen runners the chance to run with the world record holder, or merely just to chat with him and pick up hints, "Run Night" is open by a form of lottery. To be able to take part, you need to purchase more than one item of footwear from the Running Adizero series in the Adidas 2011 spring/summer collection. Doing so will enter you into the lottery, from which 333 people will be selected to attend.
Lucky winners can attend the event on February 28, 7pm, at Edogawa Stadium

Run! Snap! Tokyo Marathon 2010 photo gallery
Ikuo Tatsumi is known as the marathon-running photographer, and his work covering the 2010 Tokyo Marathon is on public display at the Ricoh Photo Gallery.
Ricoh Photo Gallery, 9F, Ring Cube Building, 5-7-2 Ginza, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo. Until February 28, daily, 11am-8pm

On the big day...

Tokyo Big Marathon Festa, 2011
Taking place across the city, the Big Marathon Festa features 28 separate performances, turning the Tokyo Marathon into a real celebration. Here's what you can expect to see.

Outside the Ministry of Defense: 9.20am-10.10am
The Japanese Ground Self Defense Force band will be putting on a rare public display (they usually only play for dignitaries) to kick things off. The Ministry of Defense building is approximately five kilometres into the marathon, so there's a chance the runners will hear the performance, too, though it's likely they'll have other things on their minds.

Sumitomo Fudosan Kudan Building: 9.35am-10.35am
There will be a folk dance performed by members of the general public, but we're always delighted to see the women of the Bandushu public baths, who gather around Takehashi Station to wave big banners and generally spread the joy.

The outer gardens of the Imperial Palace: 9.30am-10.50am
The Imperial Guards band will be out on Uchibori Dori, performing between the seventh and eighth kilometres of the race, attempting to stir the runners on. Another rare listening opportunity.

Hibiya Park: 11am-1.45pm
The finishing line for the 10-kilometre course is also one of the central points for the Big Festa. There will be food stalls and dances performed by metropolitan high school students, as well as a sign language chorus, amongst other things.

Kuritsu Shiba Park: 9.45am-11.25am
Look out for a heady mix of belly dancing, Tahitian dancing and Japanese taiko drumming.

Sumitomo Fudosan Mita Twin Building, west side: 9.50am-11.40am
At the turn in Shinagawa, around 15 kilometres into the race, a gospel band and other performances will take up the urging-on.

Sasakawa Hall: 9.50am-11.55am
Look out for cheerleaders and yosakoi dancing.

Asakusa Kaminarimon: 10.30am-1.30pm
The lineup includes drumming, woodwind concerts and traditional Japanese musical performances.

ADK Shochiku Square: 10.50am-2.50pm
Just before the 35 kilometre mark, you'll find hula dancing, cheerleading and yosakoi. Let's hope the runners like yosakoi — there's enough of it planned.

Irifunebashi: 10.10am-1pm
Shintomi Chokai will be performing a taiko event that promises to be something special. Recommended.

Toyosu IHI Building: 11am-3.30pm
Band performances, street dances, and sign-language songs. Like a little festival all of its very own.

Chuetsu Unso Fukagawa Branch: 11.10am-3.40pm
Band performances, conga lines, the hula dance, and traditional folk dances. A proper party in the making!

Ariake East Promenade: 11am-4.30pm
Another of the Big Festa's key venues, you'll find traditional dances, 100-person gospel choirs, kids’ dances, cheerleading, exhibit booths and a food village.

Finish line: 11.10am-4.10pm
Music by the Tokyo Fire Department band, a marching band made of high school students, a portable shrine carried by the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, and a samba. It could be worth going just to see how it all fits together.

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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