Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon

One of the best halfs in Tokyo, in my opinion, of course. The second running for me and this tends to be a fast half. There are no big hills, although there a few uphill or downhills sections, none are really challenging. (Although the last couple of mile are uphill and many people seem to hit that and slow way down or even walk at that point.) This year we started inside of Tokyo National Stadium instead of outside. The weather was about perfect—around 62 to start. The beginning was crowded and slow for the first mile. Things didn’t really thin ou until the second half of the race. Most of the run was under cloud cover or in the shade, only during the last half were we directly in the sun. There were sufficient water or Pokkari Sweat sports drinks provided along the course, but unfortunately they were crowded and many would stop there or in the middle of the road to pick up drinks. There were folks who would see a photographer or the TV cameras and mindlessly cut in front of everyone to mug for them. Fortunately they were few, but you have to be prepared. Swag? I don’t expect much in the Tokyo area. A rather boring finishers medal, a cheap hand towel, and a few gel and Pokkari Sweat samples. There was less than last year, but last year had some Olympic runners. But if you just like running on a fast course and your idea of scenery—which I rarely notice during an urban run—is concrete, asphalt, and tall buildings it’s perfect. Ignore the concrete and asphalt and it even more perfecter. There is a drawing for this popular race—around 15,000 were expected this year. I would recommend this to folks who love racing, half marathons, and aren’t all that interested in getting some sort of swag that you pay for anyway.