![Turnaround at Monzen-Nakacho (24 km). Tokyo Marathon 2021](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75447_53033554003_540377403_n.jpg)
Due to COVID-19, Tokyo Marathon 2021 was postponed twice and finally held on March 6, 2022. Tokyo Marathon 2022 was canceled. Even though it was held in 2022, the “Tokyo Marathon 2021” name was retained.
Sadly, overseas visitors were still barred from coming to Japan, so overseas runners could not run in 2021. About 25,000 runners showed up, reduced from the usual 38,000.
Most all runners were Japanese, really missed the international runners. But it had been three years since the last time when ordinary/amateur runners were allowed to run. Nice to see the masses running again (instead of only elite runners) and the cheering crowd on the streets. It felt like Tokyo was gradually returning to normalcy.
All runners were required to be COVID-tested in advance.
The marathon started at 9:05 am with the wheelchair race and the marathon starting 5 min. later. The 42 km (26 mi.) course started at Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Shinjuku and finished in front of Tokyo Station. Runners had seven hours to complete the marathon.
Photos on this page were taken near the 24 km (15 mi.) checkpoint/turnaround in Monzen-Nakacho.
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho This wheelchair racer looks like he's wearing Ukraine's colors.](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/7545_530335400_403730_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Marathon's lead pack (led by two pacemakers) near the 24 km point. On the extreme left is Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75435_5303375400_470033353_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner wore the colors of Ukraine](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/754445_5303754003_7453757377_n.jpg)
Some runners wore the colors of Ukraine. Like most other countries, everyone in Japan is horrified by the war in Ukraine. There have been a few anti-war demonstrations by Ukrainians in Japan joined by Russians as well. Prayers for all the Ukrainians and ordinary Russians being affected.
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Cockroach](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/7543573_530354540074_7305404375_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Pikachu](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75440770_53037333_57343774_n.jpg)
Right: Pikachu is always in Tokyo Marathon.
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Toyama no Kin-san samurai](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/7543543_530374307_5040357_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Leopard](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75443_53033070_750544505_n.jpg)
Right: Leopard
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Sunflower](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/754453_5303030705_554333373_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho Running doctor](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/7545750_5303733_4400035_n.jpg)
Right: Running doctor. Thank you for your service.
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho Tokyo 2020 Olympic volunteer runner](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/755003_53030354005_77073050_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho Tokyo 2020 Olympic volunteer runner](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75437_53030730_37074407_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Miraitowa mascot](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75455_5303330_77303535_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Jun Mizutani, Tokyo 2020 gold medalist in Table Tennis Mixed Doubles](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/7544344_5303454007_4757_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner Omiko shrine maiden](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/754440_53030304_3744775737_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner School girl rabbit](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75475_53035400_550050533735_n.jpg)
Right: School girl rabbit?
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho barefoot runner](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75405_5303540000_73407070535_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho runner](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75433_53037334_775553035047_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho medical](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/754457_5303430754_33355744044404_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho Mario Kart](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75435_53035540003_707405043_n.jpg)
Right: Mario Kart
![volunteers Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75473_53035540033_305074774_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 volunteers cleaning up](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/754400_5303030735_033400_n.jpg)
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 volunteers](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75433_53035400_0774043_n.jpg)
Tokyo Marathon 2021 volunteers set up and removed the orange cones on the road. During the race, they watched the spectators. All volunteers belong to a small group led by a group leader (in green).
Each group of volunteers is assigned to a specific location and task along the marathon route. From my experience, giving water or snacks to runners is the most fun volunteer job because you can watch them run. Thank you for your service.
![Tokyo Marathon 2021 Monzen-Nakacho yellow sweeper buses](https://photoguide.jp/log/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/754073_5303557340_444543_n.jpg)
Runners had to pass the 24 km mark by 1:20 pm. Otherwise, they had to quit the race and board the bus. Fortunately, these buses remained almost empty.
My photos of previous Tokyo Marathons:
Tokyo Marathon 2023 | Tokyo Marathon 2016 | Tokyo Marathon 2015 | Tokyo Marathon 2014 | Tokyo Marathon 2013 | Tokyo Marathon 2012 | Tokyo Marathon 2011 | Tokyo Marathon 2010 | Tokyo Marathon 2008 | Tokyo Marathon 2007
*No photos for 2017, 2018, and 2019 because I was a Tokyo Marathon volunteer.