Registration for 2014 Tokyo Marathon Opens August 1st

Update: unfortunately I was not accepted in the lottery, but I am still planning to go to Tokyo and I hope to run the Kyoto Marathon.

The 2014  Tokyo Marathon – The Day We Unite – will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2014.

According to the website:

The Day We Unite.

Around 36,000 runners run through the busy streets that are shut down to traffic, of Metropolitan Tokyo. At first to hold a Tokyo Marathon seemed like an unrealizable dream. But it became a reality in 2007 and as years pass, this city marathon became a race filled with many dreams. It is not just the 36,000 chosen runners but the 10,000 volunteers. Over 1,720,000 crowds cheering, numerous supporting sponsors and many others that come together as one to make it happen. Tokyo Marathon unites people and makes a great contribution to provide a dream to our society.

All of the information pertaining to registration for the marathon and the 10k race as well as the costs and the lottery (in the event there are more applications submitted than spots available) can be found HERE.

If all goes according to plan (and when does it ever do that?), I will be participating in the 2014 Tokyo Marathon, as my 103rd marathon.  I plan to use award miles to fly to Japan, and would visit for about a week.  Before the devaluation of Hilton points, I booked four nights at the Tokyo Hilton.  I anticipate that I’ll also book some nights at one of the Hyatt Hotels.  Did you know that Lost in Translation was filmed at the Park Hyatt Tokyo?  I am also considering a side trip to Kyoto!

If you’ve already run the Tokyo Marathon, I would love to hear your comments and suggestions.  If you’ plan to run it in 2014, let me know, so we can coordinate our plans!   Tip: if registering, use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees!