“At Tokyo, my target was to maintain the same pace as Melbourne – 4:21 per kilometre. In October 2022, Kavitha ran the Melbourne Marathon finishing in 3:07:13 and also securing a second position in her age category. The lockdown period did help,” Kavitha said. “I was able to keep up my fitness level throughout the three years. Overall, the lockdown and the absence of races helped runners to focus on their strength training. At that point in time, the pandemic was an unknown entity and the world was clueless when it would end. “A major challenge was to keep up the fitness level for at least one more year,” Kavitha said. Pune-based marathon runner Kavitha Reddy was to participate in the 2020 edition of the Tokyo Marathon but the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent travel restrictions put a pause on her plan of completing the six-marathon cycle. Kavitha Reddy / 2023 Tokyo Marathon (photo: courtesy Kavitha) We spoke to a few of the runners from India about their experience running the marathon and completing the six-star World Marathon Majors. Later, the rule was partially relaxed but runners were allowed to discard layers only at the start of the run. This is possible in many international marathons. The rule impacted the hydration plan of some runners.Īnother rule that did not sit well with some runners was the requirement to avoid discarding layers along the marathon route. Runners were also disallowed from carrying their own water bottles during the run. This rule was tough for many runners as they do not normally train carrying their mobile phones. They were also mandated to carry their smart phones to the start line of the marathon. Also, they were required to do a couple of rapid antigen tests. Returning after three years, Tokyo Marathon had mandated that runners download a health app and upload temperature details daily for a few days in the run-up to the marathon. Runners who had finished five of the six World Marathon Majors in 2019 had to wait for three years until 2023 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, to complete their sixth marathon. ![]() This was a massive rise from the previous high of 732 runners at the 2019 edition of the Tokyo Marathon. According to Abbott World Marathon Majors website, 3033 runners earned the six-star medal at Tokyo Marathon. The 2023 Tokyo Marathon secured place in the Guinness World Records for having the highest number of runners finishing for a six-star medal at a single marathon. Runners completing the circuit of these marathon majors are awarded a six-star medal at the end of their individual sixth marathon. Included in these numbers were those running to complete their six World Marathon Majors. ![]() About 38,000 runners from around the world participated in the 2023 Tokyo Marathon. Japan is among countries where running is a very popular sport. According to Runner’s World, this was Rosemary Wanjiru’s second career marathon and her first major victory. Tsehay Gemechu of Ethiopia (2:16:56) finished second and her compatriot Ashete Bekere (2:19:11) finished third. In the women’s race Rosemary Wanjiru won with timing of 2:16:28. Tsegaye Getachew, also of Ethiopia, finished in third position, a mere three seconds behind the lead pair. ![]() His compatriot Mohamed Esa finished alongside in the same timing to place second by the narrowest of margins. In the men’s race it was an Ethiopian sweep with Gelmisa crossing the finish line in two hours, five minutes and 21 minutes. Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya and Deso Gelmisa of Ethiopia won the women’s and men’s race respectively, at the World Athletics Platinum Label race. The full-fledged version of the Tokyo Marathon, one of the six World Marathon Majors, was held on March 5, 2023, after a gap of three years. Record 3033 runners get their six star medal. Rosemary Wanjiru tops among women, Deso Gelmisa among men.
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