Interview Relay

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

This time, we introduce Hiro’s story of connections with his fellow volunteers. Hiro changed the cheers and support from his fellow volunteers to the “power to run” and crossed the finish line of the Tokyo Marathon after overcoming the physical challenges of a rare illness.

“I Want to Run the Tokyo Marathon While I Still Can.”

I have volunteered ‌ten times at the Tokyo Marathon. Of all the tasks, the most rewarding part for me is managing the water stations. I have a strong emotional connection in particular, to the water station of the Suitengu block at the 30km mark. It is the first water station located immediately after crossing the checkpoint at around the 30km mark (29.2km Asakusabashi Intersection) where the runners would find it tough to reach.

In the 2025 race, I was assigned to be a leader in Suitengu Sports Drinks Group 1. I will never forget the day I spent supporting the runners with my partner, F, as well as such reliable teammates, constantly cheering each other on.  

There is a reason why I felt a strong desire to run as a runner at the Tokyo Marathon 2026. In summer 2024, I was diagnosed with a progressive disease that causes a gradual loss of limb movement. This is a rare disease that is difficult to treat with current medicine. I can still run for now, but clumsiness in my right arm and leg is gradually getting worse, and I’ve started dragging my leg while running.

“I want to run the Tokyo Marathon while I still can. “

I applied with that in mind, but I lost all four of the general lotteries. Although I couldn’t quite give up on it, I won a race entry in a sponsor event lottery and signed up on the very last day of registration.

Encouraged by Each and Every Encounter

But, at my current pace, I might not make it to the checkpoint before the cutoff time. So, I set a goal. It is to pass the 30km cutoff and reach the water station at Suitengu. I told myself that if I could make it that far, I’d just keep running as long as I could. With that in mind, I have practiced by running 10km every weekend since December.

The race day finally arrived. The temperature was 18 degrees Celcius. Despite it being hotter than expected, I kept running, helped by the water stations. At the 15km mark, F who paired with me last year, was playing a role as a leader of the Sports Drinks Group 1 this year. All the drinks managed by the Group 1 were all gone, and I passed by, giving a mental wave to F, who was busily working with the other volunteers.

And so, on to the 30km mark, my target goal: the Suitengu water station. Here too, all the drinks managed by the Sports Drinks Group 1 were gone. Even so, I passed, telling the to the volunteers “Thank you,” and waving to them.

Along the route, I also ran into many of my fellow volunteers. I had a reunion with my teammates working at a different water station, and then again had a surprise reunion with a teammate wearing a panda hat who was cheering me on at the 41km mark, just before the finish line. Encouraged by each and every encounter, I was able to keep running.

An Event Where the Connection Between People Became a Source of Strength

And—I crossed the finish line of the Tokyo Marathon. My time was over an hour slower than three years ago, making it my slowest ever. Even so, the finish made me happier and stayed with me more than any other before it.

I ran the race I once supported as a volunteer, and finished it thanks to the support of my fellow volunteers. The Tokyo Marathon was an event where the connections between people became a source of strength. Maybe I won’t be able to finish the next one. Even so, I believe the “connection” I felt after the 30km mark will give me the strength to keep running through life.

As Long As There is A Connection, People Can Keep Moving Forward.

Finishing the Tokyo Marathon – a stage I had always dreamed of – with the help of volunteers and the cheers from the sidelines, has given me great confidence, especially considering my current health. Even more, I felt that connections with others empower me to push past my limits. A few words of encouragement or a smile while running can be a huge motivation. The Tokyo Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a place to experience connections between people and find the source of strength to move our lives forward.

I have realized that the Tokyo Marathon has the power to connect people and positively change lives. As long as we have these connections, we can keep moving forward. For as long as I am able, I want to pass on these connections to the next generation by both running and providing support.