The course of the MGC = Marathon Grand Championship, which will be the marathon representative selection race for the Paris Olympics, has been announced, and will be contested for 42.195 km around Tokyo, such as Ueno and Ginza, starting and finishing at the National Stadium.

At the MGC held on October 15th, if both men and women finish in the top two, they will be selected to represent the marathon at the Paris Olympics on the spot.At present, 48 men and 26 women has qualified.



The Japan Association of Athletics Federations held a press conference in Tokyo on the 9th and announced the course. It will be contested at 42.195 km.



It includes a circular course that runs from Ueno through Ginza to Hibiya Park.



JAAF Senior Director Toshinari Takaoka, who participated in the press conference online, said, "There are 6 turnarounds and 2 laps, and the first 5km is downhill, then flat to 35km, and the final 5km. In order to send strong athletes to the Paris Olympics, the course was set with an emphasis on competition."



JAAF Vice President Toshihiko Seko said, "This course tests stamina, speed, and strength, and it's easy to support, so I hope it will be an exciting tournament."



NHK plans to broadcast the MGC women's race.

6 turnarounds and the final uphill "toughness is required"

This year's MGC has a course that will test the strength of the athletes in anticipation of next year's Paris Olympics.



After starting at the National Stadium and heading north, the athletes will proceed along Yasukuni Dori, etc., pass the Iidabashi intersection, and head for Suidobashi.



Two laps of the 11-kilometer course start from around 8.5 km past Jimbocho.



The lap is a course that turns around Kanda Ogawamachi, Ueno Hirokoji, and Uchisaiwaicho near Hibiya Park.



After that, the athletes make the final turn at Uchibori-dori Street, and after 35 kilometers, they run up a steep 30-meter climb starting from Suidobashi to the finish line, the National Stadium.

There are two major features of this course.



Tetsuya Yoroisaka, who has won the right to participate in the MGC, said at a press conference on the 9th, "I have to slow down once and then quickly increase the pace on the turn, so it's physically exhausting. I use my legs. I want to be careful," he warned.



Another feature is the steep uphill that awaits the last 5km.



Japan Athletics Federation Vice-President Toshihiko Seko said, "I think athletes will be competing around here."



JAAF senior director Toshinari Takaoka said, "This course requires athletes to be tough, and the course of the Paris Olympics is also tough. I believe that the athletes who can win the MGC will be the athletes who can conquer the Paris course." I was.