Running a Marathon in Tokyo, London or Berlin: Planning the Trip

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

1. 1Confirm your place firstDo not book a non-refundable flight before the organiser confirms you have a bib
2. 2Check entry requirementsCheck with the destination's immigration authority or embassy, and look at your passport's validity
3. 3Book flights and a roomChoose a place a short walk or train ride from the start and from bib collection
4. 4Plan bib collectionCheck whether you must collect in person, the opening times and the documents to bring
5. 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

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.

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