I attended the Tokyo Marathon yet again as a spectator. I missed out on the lottery to actually run it. I swear, I am not going to leave Japan until I get to run/walk/crawl the Tokyo Marathon, goddamn it! Instead, it’s now tradition to go out and watch it, mostly to check out all the crazy costumes that people wear.
This time we staked out a spot at Asakusabashi and walked alongside the route all the way to Ginza (about 5km).
The goal this year was to just take photos of all the interesting costumes, because you know, running a marathon in 5 degrees celcius is not hard enough!
I present the fancy dress parade that is the Tokyo Marathon:
Super Mario:
Salaryman (man in suit):
Short Panda:
Tall Panda:
Someone from The Flintstones??:
Don’t know what this dude is meant to be:
Where’s Wally! (Super cool. And he wasn’t the only Wally. I saw a few people dressed as Wally). I am impressed they wore jeans as well! Must be some serious chafing.
Eggplant:
Tiger suit (and a spectator giving out chocolates. I happened to be standing next to the woman, so lots of runners were swooping in):
Another costume:
Beer head:
A banana:
Santa Claus:
And the perennial favourite: Jesus Christ!
Even more hardcore than ever. This year he was half naked!
Carrying a cross:
And he was BARE FOOTED! For the whole marathon. And carrying a cross. And wearing nothing but a nappy (in 5 degrees celcius!)
Jesus, on the way back:
Jesus has run in the marathon for the last few years. I’m not sure if it’s the same dude.
Here is Jesus back in 2011. A lot less hardcore back then. Fully clothed and had shoes.
This Gladiator dude gave JC a run for his money in the costume department:
That can’t be comfortable:
Saw Gladiator again about 6km later. Bet he’s regretting the costume now.
I mean, wearing a costume is one thing, but having a prop is another – a cross, a shield etc.
A toy dog on a leash, say what?!
A handbag:
More costumes:
For the love of god, how you can run 42km in a frog costume:
A deflated Michael Jackson. That ain’t no moonwalk!
Love the couple/pair costumes! Ketchup and mustard!
A freaky clown:
A different Where’s Wally dude. Again, in jeans! It made me wonder if a whole group of Where’s Wally all started together at the start line, but then all went off at their own pace once the race started.
I saw one Japanese dude who had a sign on him that said “konkatsu-chuu”. It means looking for a girlfriend/wife! Can’t remember if the sign had his number on it or not. But a great way to tell the world you’re single AND available!
Saw sooo many more costumes! But hard to capture them all. I’ve decided that if I have the pleasure (or pain) of getting in, I am totally going to wear a costume. And boy, do I have a doozy of a costume planned!!!
Some more pics of Tokyo Marathon 2013:
Spectators line the streets:
Runners in action:
Drink station:
Towards Sky Tree:
Running back into Ginza:
The sweeper bus:
Pounding the pavement:
Congrats to everyone who finished, especially those who wore costumes! You provide great entertainment and inspiration to us spectators.
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