2025 Winner Interview｜Mr. Anil Tosar

How did you feel when you found out you were selected?

I was at work when I received an email with the amazing news that I was selected to run the Tokyo Marathon, and I was ecstatic!
I would never have thought I would have been selected, but I was thrilled about this. This news made me briefly forget the even bigger news I received 2 days prior, which was my wife telling me she was pregnant! I called my wife as soon as I received the email and was so happy to tell her we are going to Tokyo, but I sensed some hesitancy in her voice, which ‌confused me until she kindly reminded me she was pregnant! Of course, I was over the moon with my wife being pregnant with our first child, so now we had to think if Tokyo was possible. My wife and I were deliberating for a long time about whether we should go to Tokyo, as our
baby would only be 3 months old when we travel to Tokyo for the marathon. We had a lot of factors to consider, such as the logistics of
flying 14 hours with a 3-month-old!

How did you prepare for Tokyo Marathon 2026, and what were your thoughts going into the race?

Preparing for the Tokyo Marathon was very challenging. Of course, the training itself was very intense, but at the same time, my son was born on the 3rd December 2025, and this was the start of my training block! So sleep (or lack of it) was the most challenging factor, and then after a long run, instead of relaxing, I took over the nappy changing and entertaining my son while my wife had a break! It was very tough coming home after a 30km run, then having to do squats and walk up and down stairs with my son to relax him and put him down for his naps! But I would not have changed anything!
I had a lot of thoughts going into the race as I ran the London Marathon in 2025, but unfortunately, it did not go to plan as I collapsed with
about 800m to go, threw up and had to wait a while until I was good to go. Eventually, I was allowed to go and finish the race. But mentally it stayed on my mind and nearly made me stop running altogether. Thankfully, I kept on running, but this was always on my mind, and I was worried if the same thing could happen again in Tokyo, so mentally I had to train to block this out and replace it with positive thoughts, and what kept me going was knowing my son and wife were there!

What was the most memorable moment for you on race day?

The amazing crowd and constant support from the crowd was memorable. I thought there would be periods where there would be no crowds, but everywhere I looked, the crowds were phenomenal and cheering all the marathon runners. Running past Senso-ji Temple was a fantastic experience

Was there any particular moment or encounter during the 42.195km that moved you?

It is so hard to pick a specific moment; the whole event was an amazing experience, and I do not think I will experience anything like this again. All the runners were supportive, the marshals were friendly, the course was outstanding, and even the weather on the day was
beautiful! It was all a very emotional day, not just completing the marathon, but having gone through what happened in the London Marathon, and finishing the Tokyo Marathon feeling good and strong.
It was a personal redemption journey in completing a marathon
without passing ou

Is there a person or moment from Tokyo Marathon 2026 that left a strong impression on you?

100% would be my lovely and amazing wife. She is the reason I was able to do the Tokyo Marathon. She has been extremely supportive and encouraged me to keep training on the days I did not feel up for it. Even I was constantly having second thoughts about actually going to Tokyo with our son, but she never doubted it and was determined that we would all go and have our first family holiday together in Tokyo.
Also, she is an amazing mum! There would not be many first-time mums out there who not only would want to travel 14 hours on a plane with a 3-month-old but also encourage their husband to train for a marathon after having a baby! My Tokyo Marathon medal is for all 3 of us!

How has this experience changed you?

I feel that these experiences have brought my wife and I closer together. Working as a team to look after not only our son but also each other. This has made us feel much more comfortable and confident about traveling with our son. Also, it has kept me more determined than ever to set a good example for our son and to continue with healthy habits.

Now that you have finished, what does the Tokyo Marathon mean to you?

While flying back from Tokyo to London, I had plenty of time to reflect.
Holding my son in my arms, I realized how crazy it was for us to take on this challenge―having our first child, traveling to Tokyo with a three-month-old, and training for a marathon, even after a difficult experience at the London Marathon.
And yet, if I could, I would do it all over again.
It was truly an honor and a privilege to be selected to run the Tokyo Marathon, and I will carry these memories with me for a lifetime.

How would you describe your experience in one sentence?

Once in a lifetime

Tokyo Marathon 2025 Interview Relay – Mr. Anil Tosar’s story:  here