Tokyo hosted the first World Marathon Majors race outside the United States and Europe.
The original World Marathon Majors lineup consisted of races in Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. Tokyo joined the series in 2013, adding the first event based in Asia and expanding the circuit beyond the United States and Europe.
The Tokyo Marathon itself began in 2007. Its inclusion reflected the race’s international stature and the importance of Japan’s distance-running culture. It also made the series more geographically representative while preserving its focus on major city marathons.
Tokyo is sometimes confused with Beijing or Sydney because both cities have internationally known marathons. Neither was part of the original six-race World Marathon Majors group. The key date is 2013, when Tokyo became the sixth member.