The Tokyo Marathon is one of six World Marathon Majors and has been contested annually since 2007, except in 2020 when it was an elite-only race due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2021, when the marathon was postponed to 2022 due to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tokyo Marathon replaced two previous marathons in Tokyo, the Tokyo International Marathon which took place in even years from 1980 to 2006, and the Tokyo - New York Friendship International Marathon which took place in odd years. Ethiopia is tied with Kenya for the most Tokyo Marathon winners of any country, with 12 wins among 10 distinct winners (five men and five women), while Kenya has been represented by the most winners in the men's race with eight wins among seven distinct winners, in addition to four winners in the women's race. Japan has the most wins in the wheelchair race, with 12 wins among five distinct winners on the men's side and 11 wins among two distinct winners on the women's side.
^Russian Tatyana Aryasova had originally been declared the winner, but was disqualified in 2012 for failing a drug test.[6][7]
^ abThis edition of the Tokyo Marathon was postponed from 2021 due to
the COVID-19 pandemic and took place on 6 March 2022. Despite being postponed to 2022, it was still officially referred to as
the 2021 Tokyo Marathon.