Tokyo Marathon: Elevation Profile, Course Map & Pace Calculator
A nearly-flat loop through central Tokyo. The course starts in Shinjuku, sweeps past the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower, and finishes at Tokyo Station. Famously polite crowds and clinically precise course measurement have made this the fastest of the Asia Majors.
The Tokyo Marathon is fast, with only modest elevation change — rated 2/5 on our difficulty scale. Over the official 42.195 km (26.2 mi) the course gains about 1740 ft (530 m) and loses 1860 ft (570 m), with a net drop of 36 m (118 ft). Grade-adjusted pace says the toughest stretch arrives at kilometre 33 (near mile 20.5), demanding about 11% more effort than the same distance on flat ground. The steepest pitch on course reaches 18.6%.
Course stats
| Distance | 26.2 mi (42.195 km) |
|---|---|
| Location | Tokyo, Japan |
| Total ascent | 1740 ft (530 m) |
| Total descent | 1860 ft (570 m) |
| Net elevation | -118 ft (-36 m) |
| Steepest grade | 18.6% |
| Difficulty | 2/5 |
| Field size | ≈38,000 runners |
| Race day | First Sunday of March |
Kilometre-by-kilometre splits (grade-adjusted)
Grade-adjusted (GAP) splits for a 4:00:00 finish, computed from the course's elevation profile with the Minetti gradient-cost model: uphill kilometres get more time, downhills less, at even effort. Splits scale proportionally for any other goal time — the interactive pace calculator on this page computes them exactly.
| Kilometre | GAP pace /km | GAP pace /mi | Elev Δ | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5:28 | 8:47 | -97 ft (-29 m) | 5:28 |
| 2 | 5:35 | 8:59 | -8 ft (-3 m) | 11:02 |
| 3 | 5:26 | 8:45 | -30 ft (-9 m) | 16:29 |
| 4 | 5:16 | 8:29 | -43 ft (-13 m) | 21:45 |
| 5 | 5:39 | 9:05 | -3 ft (-1 m) | 27:24 |
| 6 | 5:20 | 8:36 | -36 ft (-11 m) | 32:44 |
| 7 | 5:55 | 9:31 | +22 ft (+7 m) | 38:39 |
| 8 | 5:48 | 9:20 | +12 ft (+4 m) | 44:27 |
| 9 | 5:34 | 8:57 | -9 ft (-3 m) | 50:01 |
| 10 | 5:55 | 9:31 | +28 ft (+9 m) | 55:56 |
| 11 | 5:25 | 8:43 | -28 ft (-8 m) | 1:01:21 |
| 12 | 5:35 | 8:59 | -10 ft (-3 m) | 1:06:55 |
| 13 | 5:41 | 9:09 | +5 ft (+1 m) | 1:12:36 |
| 14 | 5:31 | 8:53 | -15 ft (-5 m) | 1:18:08 |
| 15 | 5:46 | 9:17 | +6 ft (+2 m) | 1:23:54 |
| 16 | 5:52 | 9:26 | +18 ft (+5 m) | 1:29:46 |
| 17 | 5:25 | 8:44 | -26 ft (-8 m) | 1:35:11 |
| 18 | 5:35 | 8:58 | -12 ft (-4 m) | 1:40:46 |
| 19 | 5:38 | 9:04 | -1 ft (0 m) | 1:46:24 |
| 20 | 5:39 | 9:06 | +1 ft (0 m) | 1:52:03 |
| 21 | 5:34 | 8:57 | -11 ft (-3 m) | 1:57:36 |
| 22 | 5:43 | 9:12 | +5 ft (+1 m) | 2:03:19 |
| 23 | 5:44 | 9:14 | +10 ft (+3 m) | 2:09:03 |
| 24 | 5:34 | 8:58 | -8 ft (-2 m) | 2:14:37 |
| 25 | 5:41 | 9:09 | -1 ft (0 m) | 2:20:19 |
| 26 | 5:50 | 9:24 | +17 ft (+5 m) | 2:26:09 |
| 27 | 5:45 | 9:15 | +10 ft (+3 m) | 2:31:54 |
| 28 | 5:39 | 9:05 | -1 ft (0 m) | 2:37:33 |
| 29 | 6:01 | 9:41 | +38 ft (+12 m) | 2:43:34 |
| 30 | 5:33 | 8:55 | -12 ft (-4 m) | 2:49:06 |
| 31 | 5:40 | 9:07 | -1 ft (0 m) | 2:54:46 |
| 32 | 5:57 | 9:35 | +6 ft (+2 m) | 3:00:44 |
| 33 | 5:20 | 8:35 | -38 ft (-12 m) | 3:06:03 |
| 34 | 6:13 | 10:01 | +36 ft (+11 m) | 3:12:17 |
| 35 | 5:40 | 9:07 | -24 ft (-7 m) | 3:17:57 |
| 36 | 5:38 | 9:04 | -5 ft (-1 m) | 3:23:35 |
| 37 | 5:50 | 9:23 | +20 ft (+6 m) | 3:29:25 |
| 38 | 5:49 | 9:22 | +11 ft (+3 m) | 3:35:14 |
| 39 | 5:47 | 9:19 | -37 ft (-11 m) | 3:41:02 |
| 40 | 6:05 | 9:47 | +36 ft (+11 m) | 3:47:06 |
| 41 | 6:02 | 9:42 | +25 ft (+8 m) | 3:53:08 |
| 42 | 5:47 | 9:18 | -4 ft (-1 m) | 3:58:55 |
| 42.2 | 5:34 | 8:58 | -2 ft (-1 m) | 4:00:00 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tokyo Marathon flat or hilly?
The Tokyo Marathon is fast, with only modest elevation change (2/5 difficulty). Total ascent is about 1740 ft (530 m) over 26.2 miles.
How much elevation gain does the Tokyo Marathon have?
About 1740 ft (530 m) of total ascent and 1860 ft (570 m) of descent, for a net change of -118 ft (-36 m). Figures come from a digital elevation model, so very flat courses can read 20–30 ft high.
What is the hardest part of the Tokyo Marathon course?
Kilometre 33 (near mile 20.5) is the toughest split on the course by grade-adjusted effort. Grade-adjusted pace puts it at roughly 11% more effort than flat running. The steepest grade on course is 18.6%.
When is the Tokyo Marathon?
The Tokyo Marathon is typically held on the first Sunday of March. The next edition is expected around March 7, 2027. Confirm the exact date on the official race website.
How many runners take part in the Tokyo Marathon?
The field is roughly 38,000 runners.
What pace do I need to run the Tokyo Marathon in my goal time?
At an even pace: 3:00:00 needs 6:52/mi (4:16/km); 3:30:00 needs 8:01/mi (4:59/km); 4:00:00 needs 9:09/mi (5:41/km); 4:30:00 needs 10:18/mi (6:24/km); 5:00:00 needs 11:27/mi (7:07/km); 5:30:00 needs 12:35/mi (7:49/km). On this course, grade-adjusted pacing shifts a few seconds per mile between uphill and downhill splits — the pace calculator on this page computes those splits for any goal time.
Plan your Tokyo race
Marathons with a similar profile
- Sydney Marathon — 2000 ft (610 m) ascent
- Austin Marathon — 1070 ft (330 m) ascent
- Charlotte Marathon — 1010 ft (310 m) ascent
- Detroit Free Press Marathon — 970 ft (300 m) ascent
Official race site: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/