Tokyo Marathon 2020 General Entries Cancelled Due To Coronavirus

Entries for the general public into the Tokyo Marathon 2020 have been cancelled due to health concerns regarding the coronavirus.

38,000 members of the general public were signed up to run the race on March 1st 2020. The race is now limited to only elites and wheelchair racers.

The Tokyo Marathon doubles as a qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games and is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, meaning it is an important event for both professional and amateur runners alike.

For many people, this would have been their first chance at running a Marathon Major, the others being London Marathon (which has an almost impossible ballot entry process), New York Marathon (one of the most expensive marathons in the world), Boston Marathon (which requires elite-level times to qualify), Berlin and Chicago Marathons. 

The elite race will still be going ahead, with the field including 176 runners and 30 wheelchair athletes.

At least 416 people have been confirmed as infected by coronavirus in Japan, including 355 people who had been quarantined on a cruise ship.

The organisers of the Tokyo Marathon had already asked runners from China to defer this year's race, saying they will be guaranteed entry next year without having to pay. 

Organisers have voiced concerns over how the global virus outbreak will affect the Olympic Games which will be taking place this summer from July 24th to August 9th. 

If you were expecting to run the Tokyo Marathon on March 1st 2020, you are advised to make alternative arrangements.