95 m of total elevation gain — comparable to Chicago. No climb is longer than 200 m.

What is the weather like?

Early March averages 5–13 °C with 50–60 % humidity. Wind off Tokyo Bay can be a factor near the finish.

Tokyo, JP · March 2027

Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo Marathon pacing plan for the flat, cool early-March race through central Tokyo. Per-km splits and nutrition from your VDOT.

Distance: 42.20 km
Elevation gain: 95 m
Typical temp: 5–13 °C
Cutoff: 7:00:00

Race data quality

Medium confidence

Last verified: source review pending

Course distance, climate, and broad course features are suitable for pacing previews. Elevation profiles and aid-station details are approximate and should be checked against the official race packet before race day.

Elevation profile

Approximate course model

Paid strategy guardrail

Official race packet remains source of truth

Published race organizer materials
Public course maps and elevation references
Historical climate normals for the race month

Step 1 · Free preview

See the course-adjusted plan first

Enter one recent result. The preview returns course cost, first splits, and fuel target from the deterministic engine and the current course data model.

Recent raceRecent timeGoal timeWeight (kg)

VDOT

49.1

Estimate

3:13:39

Course cost

-0:06

Fuel target

90 g/h

Course pressure9 °C · 55% RH

First 5 km preview

full race locked

km 14:40
km 24:40
km 34:39
km 44:43
km 54:45

km 6-42 locked · full splits, nutrition timeline, danger zones, printable race band

Continue with approximate course data

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Uses an approximate course model; verify final logistics against the official race packet.

Step 2 · Full Tokyo Marathon strategy

Per-km splits, nutrition timing, race-week checklist.

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Continue with approximate course data →

Course elevation

95 m total gain · 95 m loss · max 41 m, min 3 m.

Signature sections

Tokyo Big Sight finish · km 41–42.195
Final stretch with a slight rise to the convention center finish line.

Race overview

Tokyo is the flattest of the Asian World Marathon Majors and one of the better-organised races on the calendar. 95 m of cumulative elevation gain, all in small undulations through Shinjuku, Hibiya, Ginza, Asakusa, and the final stretch out to Tokyo Big Sight. Early-March temperatures (5–13 °C) are favourable. The course is well-suited to even pacing; the only psychological pinch point is the long out-and-back along Chuo-dori (km 16–28), where there are no major elevation changes but the headwind can pick up.

How hard is this course?

Reference table — how the Tokyo Marathon compares to a flat sea-level course for four typical fitness levels. Computed from the route profile, mean course altitude, and typical race-week climate (9 °C / 55 % humidity). Your personal strategy uses your VDOT, per-km splits, nutrition timing, and the typical climate baseline for this static sample; paid strategies use Open-Meteo when a verified race date is inside the forecast window.

Runner	Flat-course finish	Tokyo Marathon finish	Course cost	Adjusted pace
Beginner (VDOT 35)	4:16:08	4:16:01	+0%	6:04/km
Intermediate (VDOT 45)	3:28:17	3:28:11	+0%	4:56/km
Trained (VDOT 50)	3:10:41	3:10:36	+0%	4:31/km
Competitive (VDOT 60)	2:43:24	2:43:19	+0%	3:52/km

Reference nutrition

For a 70 kg runner finishing in 3:10:36 at 9 °C. Adjust to your weight and tolerance — these are ISSN-window targets, not prescriptions.

Carbs / hour: 90 g
Total carbs: 286 g
Fluid / hour: 640 ml
Sodium / hour: 500 mg

FAQ

How flat is Tokyo?
95 m of total elevation gain — comparable to Chicago. No climb is longer than 200 m.
What is the weather like?
Early March averages 5–13 °C with 50–60 % humidity. Wind off Tokyo Bay can be a factor near the finish.

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The numbers above are samples. Sign up free and get the full Tokyo Marathon strategy from your VDOT, the current course model, Open-Meteo race-week forecast when available, and your nutrition preferences.

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Related races

New to the marathon? Start with our marathon pacing strategy guide or run the VDOT calculator.