2021 Tokyo Marathon

[7] The elite men's race featured Eliud Kipchoge,[8] who won the marathon event at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.

[9] Other competitors included 2020 winner Legese Birhanu, Mosinet Geremew, Amos Kipruto and Tamirat Tola, all of whom had a personal best time under 2:04,[8] and Shura Kitata, who won the 2020 London Marathon.

[10] Japanese athlete and national record holder Kengo Suzuki who came fourth at the 2021 Chicago Marathon, also raced.

[8] The favourite for the elite women's race was Brigid Kosgei, who came second in the marathon event at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.

[11]: 2  The men's wheelchair competition featured Swiss athlete Marcel Hug, who won the marathon T54 race at the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics.

[12] At the half way point, the leading pack contained Kosgei, Gotytom Gebreslase, Ashete Bekere, Angela Tanui and Hiwot Gebrekidan.

[15] Tsubasa Kina won the women's wheelchair event;[15][16] her time of 1:40:21 was slightly slower than the course record that she set in 2020.