Interview Relay

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

This time, we introduce a story of connections with children in Japan with cancer by Ido, who was healed through the Tokyo Marathon, where he ran as a charity runner for “Gold Ribbon Network”.

Three Letters Sent from Children in Japan

My first Tokyo Marathon was very special. I ran it with my neighbor and close friend from New York. Our friends and family traveled with us to support us. It became more than a race. It became a shared life experience.

For that first Tokyo Marathon, I also raised money for Gold Ribbon Network, a charity that supports children with cancer.

Not long after, I went through two major head surgeries. There was a time when I did not know if I could ever run again. After my surgery, I sent a video message from New York to the children from Gold Ribbon. I wanted to encourage them to be strong and to believe in themselves.

Then I received three letters from children in Japan.

One boy (Oliver) wrote that he also had open head surgery, and that he loves running like me. Another child (Maho) wrote that she had just been discharged from the hospital the day she saw my video, and that my message gave her strength.
Another wrote that my message touched her heart and helped her live positively. 

A Part of “My Personal Healing Story”

I was deeply moved and overwhelmed. They were fighting something much bigger than a marathon, and yet they were giving me strength.

Six months after my second brain surgery, I returned to Tokyo and ran the Tokyo Marathon again. It was my comeback marathon. I was no longer running for myself. I was running with the strength they gave me and the feeling of fulfillment that I am back on my feet again in a country I love so much.

This connection shaped and strengthened how I see running.
Running is not only about time, results, or medals.
Running can connect people who have never met.
Running can give strength.
Running can receive strength.

Even when I was recovering, I was not alone. Someone on the other side of the world was connected to me.

When I ran Tokyo again after head surgery, I felt I was carrying their words with me. It made me more emotional, more grateful, and more aware of how powerful simple encouragement can be.

Tokyo is not just a marathon in my life. It is part of my personal healing story.

Continuing to Connect People Across Countries, Backgrounds, and Lives.

After sharing my Tokyo Marathon experience online, someone I had never met reached out to me on Instagram. He was half-Japanese and told me my Tokyo Marathon video inspired him, but he didn’t know how to enter the race.

I explained the lottery, the charity options, and the entry process to him. Since then, we have stayed in touch. We still haven’t met in person, but the Tokyo Marathon brought us together.

The Tokyo Marathon not only connects people on race day. It continues to connect people across countries, backgrounds, and lives.

My hope is that one day I will meet him in Tokyo, run the Tokyo Marathon with him, and meet the kids from this beautiful charity – Gold Ribbon. 

This is why the Tokyo Marathon is not only a race to me. It is a place where human connections begin.