Interview Relay

Interview Relay 2nd Run: Stories of “Connections Between People” Born Through the Tokyo Marathon

This time, we introduce a “Story of connections between father and son” by Hiro who will run the Tokyo Marathon – the race that his father could not run because of sickness –  with a hope to feel the connections between them and honor his father’s spirit on every stride.

I Want to Move Forward on My Own Feet, Carrying the Feelings I Received from My Father

My father won the lottery for the Tokyo Marathon about 10 years ago. The Tokyo Marathon had been a special stage for my father, who had been running for many years.

However, just before the race day, my father got sick and was advised by his doctor to stop running. Before even getting to the starting line, my father just said, “It can’t be helped,” and he lost his right to run it. I don’t think I had a deep understanding of the frustration behind those words at the time.

Subsequently, I ‌ started running, and for the first time, I finally understood how challenging a marathon is, as well as the time he had accumulated for it and what it really means to be prepared to stand on the starting line. It was the moment marathon running transformed from a simple aspiration into a legacy to be carried forward.

Since then, running has become not just about setting records or achieving results, but every step I take feels like a conversation with my father, a quiet confirmation that I am walking the same path as him.  The connection with my father inspired me to run and expanded my world.

That’s why I want to stand on the starting line of the Tokyo Marathon – the place my father could not reach. It’s not about replacing my father; it’s about moving forward on my own feet with the legacy he left me. I want to cherish every single step of the 42.195 km journey, as it feels like proof of my connection with my father.

Now It’s My Turn to Show My Son “What It Looks Like to Take on a Challenge.”

I think the true charm of the Tokyo Marathon is that it’s not just for the runners; supporters and people we entrust with our thoughts can also share the same moments together. Countless cheers line the roadside, where a multitude of individual stories intertwine.

My father will be coming to support me on the day. He was once meant to stand at the starting line, but now he will welcome the day from the sidelines to watch me. When I imagine that scene, I feel the profound significance of this event.

Me Running and My Father Cheering

Although our paths may differ, we share the same moment in time and the same streets of Tokyo, connecting us over 42.195 km. I believe that this sense of unity is what makes the Tokyo Marathon so appealing.

The Tokyo Marathon is a personal journey and yet an event that fosters connections that endure beyond the race. On that day, my little son will be standing next to my father, waving his heart out at me. He may not understand the significance of running or how long 42.195 km is. Even so, I believe that the sight of me running right in front of him will stay with him as a memory.

My father showed me “what it means to take on challenges through his actions,” and now it’s my own turn to show my son. 

From those who run, to those who cheer, to those who watch – the spirit is shared and carried forward to the generations to come. I think the Tokyo Marathon is at the heart of it.

Through this event, I want to show the value of taking on challenges and the incredible power that comes from our connections.