World Marathon Voices A Global Perspective on the Tokyo Marathon Abbott World Marathon Majors CEO Dawna Stone

World Marathon Voices is a special edition of the Interview Relay project celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Tokyo Marathon 2027.

Through conversations with Race Directors and leaders from the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), this series shares global perspectives on the Tokyo Marathon—its unique character, its role within the world of marathon running, and the future envisioned by those shaping the sport.

In this edition, Dawna Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors, shares her perspective on what makes the Tokyo Marathon unique, its role within the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), and her hopes for the future of the race.

Q1 About the Tokyo Marathon’s Value

How do you perceive the Tokyo Marathon as a race?
What makes it unique compared to other major marathons?

Any specific impressions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

The Tokyo Marathon is a unique member of the AbbottWMM family in so many ways! From the iconic heart-shaped confetti that rains down on the runners at the start to the sights and sounds around the course that bring Japanese culture to life for the participants. These elements make it a truly special experience.

Q2 Relationship with the Tokyo Marathon

What similarities and differences do you see between other AbbottWMM races and the Tokyo Marathon? What defines the uniqueness of each event from your perspective?

As a series, each of AbbottWMM races operates to the highest standards of event organization and that is consistent across all the AbbottWMM.
But within that excellence, each also has features that make them unique. The Tokyo Marathon brings so much color and sound to its start, but that is also reflected in the week of the race in terms of its EXPO and the traditional opening ceremony, to the way the race welcomes the elite athletes and showcases their talent.

Q3 Role in the Global Marathon Landscape

What role do you believe the Tokyo Marathon plays within the global marathon scene, including as part of AbbottWMM? 

For AbbottWMM, the Tokyo Marathon stands out every year as the race we welcome the most Six Star Finishers of any AbbottWMM! We set a Guinness World Record there in 2023 with over 3,000 and we have had over 2,000 every year since. It’s such a thrill to see so many Six Star medals on display in the city after race day.

Q4 Expectations for the Future

What are your expectations for the future development of the Tokyo Marathon?
What do you believe will be important in further enhancing its value?

It has been fantastic to see the Tokyo Marathon continue to evolve in its inclusivity, such as permitting Duo Teams to enter the race.
This change means that we now have several Duo Teams who have earned the Six Star medal. As a series, we want to inspire the world through the power of the marathon, so it will always be important for all of our events to continue to focus on broadening opportunities for people to experience these amazing races.