Running a Marathon in Tokyo, London or Berlin: Planning the Trip
How people get a place, the order of bookings, bib collection, race day and staying connected, for Thai runners.
Quick answer
- Confirm your place with the organiser before booking non-refundable flights.
- Arrive several days ahead, collect the bib in the set window and carry running shoes onboard.
- Check whether insurance covers running a marathon and have mobile data for travel.
An overseas marathon is two projects in one trip
Running a marathon in Tokyo, London or Berlin is a goal for many Thai runners. These three races belong to the well-known group of world-level marathons. But preparation is not only training. You are running two projects at once: preparing your body for 42.195 kilometres, and preparing a trip so nothing chaotic happens before race day. A well-trained runner who arrives the day before without knowing where to collect the bib can waste months of work.
This page does not state entry quotas, race dates or fees as fact, because organisers change them every year, and it is not a booking service. Confirm everything with each race's official website and the immigration authority of the country you will visit.
How people get a place
How people get a place differs by race and can change. Typically there are several routes: a ballot or open entry; charity places where you raise funds under the charity's rules; packages through a tour operator the organiser approves; a qualifying time from a recognised race; and places given to clubs or certain groups. Read the current information on the official entry page. Do not pay anyone who claims to have a bib without going through the organiser, because bibs are not easy to transfer and can be cancelled.
- Note the official website and the entry window the organiser announces; keep the confirmation email
- Check age rules, medical certificates or documents required
- Read the transfer and refund policy before paying
- Check whether there are cut-off times or minimum pace rules
Putting the trip bookings in order
- 1Confirm your place firstDo not book a non-refundable flight before the organiser confirms you have a bib
- 2Check entry requirementsCheck with the destination's immigration authority or embassy, and look at your passport's validity
- 3Book flights and a roomChoose a place a short walk or train ride from the start and from bib collection
- 4Plan bib collectionCheck whether you must collect in person, the opening times and the documents to bring
- 5Plan race dayStudy the route to the start, baggage drop and the start zones
When to arrive and handling jet lag
Arrive several days ahead so your body can adjust and you are not rushing for the bib. From Thailand, Tokyo is a small time difference away, while London and Berlin differ by several hours. Good sleep in the week before the race matters as much as the last session of training. The general approach is not to add hard sessions close to race day; ease off following your training plan or coach, and talk to a doctor if you have a medical condition or any unusual symptoms.
On weather, Thai runners are used to heat, but race morning abroad can be cool or windy, and you may stand for a long time waiting to start. Bring an outer layer you can discard or drop according to the event's rules, and check the forecast close to race day.
Three races, three different things to know
| Race | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | Many signs and instructions are in Japanese: use a translation app and offline maps, check the organiser's cut-off times and carry some cash |
| London | Underground and suburban trains are crowded on race morning: check engineering works and timings the day before. Charity runners follow each charity's rules |
| Berlin | Start and finish are in the city and bib collection is a separate event: check collection points and the public transport running on race morning |
The day before and race day
- Collect the bib in the window the organiser sets; carry your passport or the documents they ask for
- Lay out kit, shoes, gels and everything in advance; do not try anything new on race day
- Keep running shoes in your carry-on rather than checked luggage
- Study the way to the start, baggage drop and toilets before race day
- Eat familiar food before the race and avoid risky stomach choices
On race morning, reach the start a little earlier than the organiser suggests, since bag checks and baggage drop have queues. After the finish you will walk slowly and cool down fast, so have an outer layer and a plan for getting back to your lodging. Check that public transport is running after the race and what the walk from the finish to a station looks like.
Staying connected in race week
In race week you use mobile data for several things: the event's app, confirmation codes for bib collection, maps to the start, and messages to family following your progress. People tracking you usually use a tracking app fed by the event's own timing system, so your own phone data is not always needed for that. But if you want to message or share photos after you finish, have data ready. A travel eSIM gives you data from landing and keeps your Thai SIM for SMS and OTP. Crowded start and finish areas can be slow and nobody can guarantee speed, so download maps and bib-collection documents in advance.
Safety, money and insurance
Do not push through when something feels wrong. Every race has first-aid points and staff; tell them straight away. In an emergency the long-standing numbers are 999 in the UK, 112 in Germany and most of Europe, and 110 for police or 119 for ambulance and fire in Japan; confirm before you travel. Travel insurance may cover illness and trip cancellation, but some policies exclude sporting events, so ask your insurer clearly whether running a marathon is covered. On money, cashless payment is widely used in London and Berlin, while in Tokyo you should carry some cash. See our guides on cards in Europe and Japan.
FAQ
How far ahead do I need to enter?+
It depends on the race and the entry method. Some use a ballot or open entry in an announced window. Check the schedule on the organiser's official website. We do not state deadlines or numbers of places here.
How many days early should I arrive?+
Many runners arrive several days ahead to adjust and collect the bib without hurry. What suits you depends on the time difference and your plan; a coach or someone who has run that race can advise.
Does travel insurance cover running a marathon?+
Not always. Some policies exclude sporting events. Ask your insurer before buying and read the exclusions carefully.
Do I need internet while running?+
Not necessarily. Timing runs on the organiser's system. Still, keep downloaded maps and documents, and have data for travel and for after the finish.
Instagram and TikTok have no web share button, so we open your phone's share sheet or copy the link instead.
Related
- eSIM for running a marathon or watching sport abroad
- First Trip to Japan: Preparation Checklist and How to Choose Internet
- Using a Credit Card in Europe and the UK: Where It Works, Is It Worth It, and How Much Cash You Still Need
- Do You Need Travel Insurance? What It Covers and What to Read Before Buying