Bureau of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Preparation

Marathon Festa 2016 to be held

The Marathon Festa, special events to cheer on the runners along the course of the Tokyo Marathon, will be held again this year on Sunday, February 28!*

Marathon Festa 2016 will feature a variety of performances and events at 28 locations along the marathon course, including the Marathon Festa Main Venue near the finish area.

In addition, a variety of events are planned so that visitors can enjoy a full day at the marathon, including opportunities to try impaired sports (wheelchair basketball, etc.) and attractions for the kids. We hope that you and your friends will join us!

*Please note that starting this year, the name of the event (formerly Tokyo Big Marathon Festa) has been changed to Marathon Festa.

Marathon Festa Overview

Date: Sunday, February 28, 2016 (Event start times vary according to the venue.)
Place: 28 locations along the Tokyo Marathon 2016 course (The Marathon Festa Main Venue is located near the finish area.)

Contents

Events along the course

A range of performances, including music, dance, and Japanese traditional entertainment, will be given to cheer on the runners.
(Last year, a total of 147 groups/about 5,000 people performed.)

Variety Zone at the Marathon Festa Main Venue

• The International Meat and Noodle Festival will offer a wide selection of meat and noodle dishes from around the world to provide spectators with plenty of energy to cheer.
• A talk show featuring a variety of special guests (athletes, etc.) and a show given by Japanese comedians will entertain the crowd. (All shows will be in Japanese.)
• On the Festa Stage, traditional Japanese performances will also be given by Tokyo residents.
• A variety of booths introducing Tokyo sightseeing areas, selling local specialties, and showcasing other information and goods will be set up.
• A kids play area will offer children the chance to try various sports and play.

Challenge Sports Land at the Marathon Festa Main Venue

• Visitors will be able to try impaired sports such as wheelchair basketball, boccia, and blind soccer.
• Areas will be set up for visitors to try sports such as sports climbing and skateboarding.

Cheer and Walk! Event

A five kilometer fun walk alongside the marathon course.
Participants will cheer on the runners as they follow the Cheer and Walk! course from the Festa Main Venue to the Shinonome check point where they will turn around and head for the finish line at Ariake East Promenade.

*All participants will receive items to cheer on the runners. Participation is limited to 5,000 people.

*The first 1,000 participants will receive special Tokyo Marathon promotional items.

Marathon Festa 10th Anniversary Special Stamp Rally

Collect three stamps set up at 26 event venues, excluding the Finish Area, and present them at the Cheer and Walk! event center within the Main Festa Venue area to be entered in a drawing to win great prizes. The Stamp Rally is free of charge.

Distribution of the Marathon Festa Pamphlet

Available at these locations.

Government offices

• Tokyo Tourist Information Center (TMG Building No. 1, 1st Floor)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observation Deck (TMG Building No. 1, North and South towers)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Building Main Information Desk and Information Corner
• Tokyo tourism information counters at municipality facilities and other locations in Tokyo

Distribution of the English edition to start in mid-February.

For additional details, please see the official website:
http://www.tokyo42195festa.tokyo/( External link ) (Japanese only)

Inquiries (Japanese)

Marathon Festa Phone:+81-3-6865-1959（weekday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Sports Promotion Division Bureau of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Preparation Phone:+81-3-5388-2198