by Mollie Millington | Feb 23, 2025 | race review, running, WMM
Many years ago, a friend challenged me to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks. I said absolutely not but I will do the Abbott World Marathon Majors instead. Fast forward 10 years later and she has run several hundred marathons and I am struggling to complete my 6 stars. But I am nearly there now! In 2024, I managed to complete my 5th star with the Tokyo Marathon. The 2025 race is coming up on Sunday 2 March so I thought I should finally share my thoughts on this race (as best I can remember).
My story starts in the summer of 2019, I woke up at 2am to secure a charity entry place for the 2020 Tokyo marathon (you can see where this is going). I donated about £700 to Florence Charity (which offers day care and schooling for children with special needs amongst other things) and then bought my race entry fee for £150. There are a few different ways to gain entry to Tokyo Marathon with charities. You can either make a donation upfront to the charity (similar to a bid) or fundraise as much as you can and then earn your entry. There isn’t a JustGiving (or similar platform) so it can be tricky to fundraise the money you already donated back. This was the cheapest donation entry I had for the World Marathon Majors, so I was happy to donate and not have to add more stress to my training by asking people for money.
Turns out, I had to reschedule my trip twice due to Covid and restrictions for foreign visitors not on an organized tour. Aside from March 2020, I was supposed to race in October 2021 but there was too much up in the air with international travel to commit. I finally made it in March 2024. There were still regulations in place to keep runners safe, such as to using an app to register whether you had a fever every day for a week or two before and after the race.
Sadly, I don’t have many photos from the race as I was filming on a small sports camera for a vlog. I lost this footage along with some Kyoto city tour photos I logged on to a temporary admin profile on my laptop in haste. Lesson learned!
Without further ado, here is information from my experience running the 2024 Tokyo Marathon.
Entries and fees
As mentioned above, I decided to enter via a charity route in 2020, which the organization and charity kindly let me keep my place until 2024. While I paid an entry fee in 2020 (and received a large parcel with all of the 5Km race and marathon finish line goodies plus my 2020 medal at the 2024 expo). I was required to pay an additional race entry fee for the 2024 race and completely understand why. There was so much logistics and communication over the four years, I am surprised they didn’t charge people every time their rescheduled. Compared to the other WMM races I have done, it wasn’t too expensive (not counting the flights and accommodation).
Course and bogs:
The race starts on the west side of Tokyo in Shinjuku City and then ends near the Imperial Palace. There were not enough port-a-loos in our start corral for the number of people waiting which meant I split up from my friends. Just as I made it to the front of the queue, there was an announcement saying we had to start within 11 minutes but the start line was still a ways to walk. I was stubborn and stayed to use the loo and managed to start without any issue.
Along the course, there were many port-a-loos which were well sign-posted both with a warning that a toilet was near by and then volunteers were there with signs where it was time to come off the course. We didn’t run by too many famous landmarks (see the route I ran below). We did go close to the Hanazono Shrine (I think) and a shopping area that was on my tour. Otherwise, we passed a lot of 7-11s.
The course is said to be ‘flat’ but I would say that it is undulating. Strava tells me I had an elevation gain for 157 feet. Of course, I am very literal so would have preferred 0.
Location
Tokyo, Japan (see map above). The expo center and many events leading up to race (including the lululemon shake out run I went to) were in the Koto City area. I went back there nearly every day before the race (including for museums). Most people stayed in Japan either before or after the race to travel a bit. I will say that the jet lag was killer. I slept nearly an entire day after I arrived.
Atmosphere
Even though there were lots of people along the route, both spectating and working, there was not a lot of noise. I don’t know if it is true, but I was told culturally, Japanese people will not cheer unless you speak/cheer to them first. Of course, there were some international family and friends who had traveled with the runner that brought silly signs and they kept up the vibes. It was a sunny day so everyone was smiling.
The food along the course, both officially supplied and by the crowds, was a bit unusual for me so I didn’t try very much (nothing new on race day!). As a ran along, I saw people giving out Coca Cola and was grateful to have a 1/2 cup for a boost while I was flagging.
Race bling and goody bag
For this race, I walked away with two medals. No, not for my 6th star but for the 2024 and the 2020 races. I would like to commend the Tokyo Marathon race organizers for how well they handled all of the uncertainty during the pandemic. Financially and administratively, it must not have been easy for them.
The goody bag had bath salts and limited snacks. It also had a McDonald’s gift voucher. After I received by 2024 medal, I went to over to the Florence charity celebration for their runners. It was a bit confusing to get to as it involved sub-terrain walkways. Many runners headed here as it was where the official changing rooms are. Since it took me a while to finish the race, there wasn’t much time to enjoy the free snacks and drinks with Florence. My main priority was the sports massage which I was able to receive. After I changed, I can’t believe I went to McDonalds (even when I had to climb stairs to enter the restaurant and then needed a lift to find seating). I knew once I got to the hotel, I would not leave again and just wanted something very salty.
Tips if you want to take part next time
Communication: Organizer emails can be tricky to read because they are written in very formal English. Take your time to read through them as they do contain lots of helpful info. You can also log on to the race portal for more helpful info there.
Expo: Wear comfy shoes because the lines are long to both enter and collect your bib on Thursday. Bring food with you because there are only a few vending machines and one shop in the building where the expo is. There is a larger shop outside but it quickly was depleted in stock. Everyone going crazy for official WMM kit (the videos I saw were crazy!) but I wasn’t that bothered about it. Personally, I don’t think the 2024 WMM designs were that cool anyways. It is no where near the size/energy of the other WMM expos I have attended. Do stop by the charity stalls as there are many and you can let your friends know which ones to register for next year.
Strict rules for start area: No liquids allowed and they mean it. I had to throw away an opened tin of anti-chafe wax which made me very sad. If you plan on carrying water during the race, you need to fill soft flasks within the starting corals (which are huge and do not have many rubbish bins).
Along the course: Remember, Japan doesn’t not have rubbish bins on city streets and no one litters. Plan on carrying your rubbish with you until there are bins along the course.
Finish line: I had to pay to have my checked bag transported to finish line. It was not very expensive and definitely worth IMO. I did receive a towel poncho at the finish line which would have helped keep me warm, but I preferred having dry clothes too.
Best of luck to everyone running in 2025. Be sure to leave comments below with tips from this year’s race.
by Mollie Millington | Dec 10, 2023 | product review, running, travel
If I counted up all the miles I have run in the last 10 years, I would say there have been a fair few. Since moving to the United Kingdom in 2011, I have started running routinely, as well as travelling more. By combining the two, I refer to it as active travel (not to be confused with running or cycling to work). Believe it or not, Europe is so much more accessible from London rather than Michigan. My passion for running started as a way to fundraise for an American charity close to my heart. The more I ran, the farther distances I had to go to encourage more donations. My first international race was in Paris for a half marathon in 2013. I traveled alone from London and stayed with a friend’s sister (who not only I had never met, but also wasn’t there, so I actually stayed with my friend’s brother-in-law). The only other time I had been in Paris was in 2005, so it was amazing to explore the city with fresh eyes while on foot. Road races tend to take you through neighborhoods you might not otherwise see. Moving at a relatively slow pace (compared to a car) and above ground (as opposed to a subway), you see things from a different point of view. An added bonus is runners love talking about all things running which means even if you head to the start pen on your own, you will make friends shortly after arrival. This trip to Paris was a long weekend and as it was my first ‘big’ race, I was cautious drinking too much wine or eating too much cheese until after I had crossed the finish line. Now, I am quite not as cautious if the race is only a 5 or 10K.
Since 2013, I have run in 12 countries and ten states as part of my goal to run in every country and state that I visit. While I have memories from each, I have been looking for a way to commemorate these trips. Luckily, I have discovered El Camino Bracelets.* With each race, I have specific memories of the time and place, and now I also have a physical representation i can wear on my wrist. The half marathon I did in Auckland, New Zealand was seven loops in a local park with a hill, which my husband reminded me each time I passed him that I was slowing down. My first marathon was in Prague and I had a few days to wander the city on my own beforehand. As a souvenir, I bought a small red garnet (the national gem) to wear on a necklace that said ‘26.2’ (the number of miles in a marathon). The first time I went to Disney World was at the age of 36 for a half marathon with a charity entry. Charity entries start in the back due to lack of estimated finishing time and everyone ahead of me was walking due to the Dopey Challenge (four day event which starts with a 5K and ends with a marathon). It took me six miles to move ahead of the walkers and find a steady pace. I slept under the stars in the Jordanian desert while completing a 5 day ultra marathon in 2018. During the Rock-N-Roll half marathon in Dublin (which was hillier than I thought it would be), the deer in Phoenix Park ran across the course as we neared the finish line. I was too slow to get my phone out for a photo.
Hanging my race medals in the spare bedroom isn’t too inspiring when I am training or conversational when visiting friends and family. Those of you who know runners know we love to talk about running! When I learned about El Camino Bracelets*, I saw this travel-inspired accessory to be the best way of reminding myself of what I have achieved and therefore what I still am capable of. With a ‘Step’ from each country I tick off, along with the colorful Steps to categorize my race distances for ‘5k’ to ‘marathon’ to ‘250km ultra’, I can wear this bracelet day in and day out, including when I am training, as a reminder of how many memories I have made by simply running. El Camino Bracelets are made in the UK and meant to be worn while exploring. The hand polished surgical grade stainless steel holds up against salt water, sweat, and a range of temperatures. The spacers are all made from sustainably sourced woods and coconut. Typically, I don’t wear jewelry because it is too inconvenient to take it on and off daily for exercise, dishes, my ‘real job’, showering, etc. The big appeal to me was I can leave this bracelet on and only take it off after I have run somewhere new.
Even though El Camino has created categories for their Steps (animals, regions, continents, sea, oceans, etc), you can create your own code to make the jewelry meaningful to you. I wanted to use traffic lights as inspiration for my distances. You can use your creativity to find a custom Step designs too, to capture weddings, birthdays, travel with your besties, adoptaversaries of your pets, etc. You are only limited by the 29-32 character space. Adventure Steps illustrate your jewelry with small symbols. I chose the airplane and arrow adventure Steps (not the footprint because I don’t like feet), then added on the following the countries and colorful Steps: 5K (green/South America): USA; 10K (orange/Tiger step): South Africa, Portugal; half marathon (blue /Australia region): Scotland, New Zealand; marathon (red/ North American region): Czech Republic; other (purple/Baltic Sea): Jordan. I love this bracelet so much, it is listed in my 2023 gift guide and I have asked for the rest of the countries I have run in (see map above) for Christmas. Fingers crossed that Santa got my letter.
These last 10 years have had ups and down both physically and mentally. Running has played a huge part in helping me get through it all (even though it is sometimes a love-hate relationship, I always feel better after a run). My next marathon is in Tokyo in March 2024. This trip has been booked since 2020 and rescheduled twice. The last time I ran a marathon was in 2021 as a virtual race (it may be the only way I ever get a Boston Marathon medal). I am anxiously looking forward to finally running this race after several start-stops over the years. As I enter my second month of training, I am starting to recall all the tips and tricks that have worked well for me in the past (daily protein shakes, weekly osteopath appointments, early morning runs in the dark, long runs with friends). It will be my 5th World Marathon Major which leaves me with Boston, the hardest one to gain entry to. The reason I chose a double El Camino bracelet was so that one string can be for the World Marathon Majors (London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, and Boston) as custom Steps with the years I ran them. What a tremendous day that will be when I get that Boston small Step on my El Camino bracelet (and then never have to run a marathon ever again!).
What will be next 10 years of active travel bring? I have already set my sights on a European road trip for August 2024. If I plan it correctly, I should be able add the following steps to my bracelet: Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and/or Luxembourg. There are over 190 countries which means I have a long way to go. And probably a few bracelets (or necklaces) to fill. One thing I am thinking about is signing up for a polar race, even though I ran a 5k in Colorado on New Years Day in 2022 (in a few inches of snow!). And I want to SUP around the island of Jersey. My plan is to keep putting one foot in front of the other while spending as much time outside and exploring. While I am back home training, I will have a constant reminder of just how far I have come.
How do you keep memories from your travels? Do you print a photo book? Keep your airplane tickets? Buy a magnet? Get a tattoo? Let me know in the comments below.
*El Camino bracelets gifted me this bracelet and steps. All opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Jan 27, 2023 | running
Winter is in full effect in London, with a touch of spring on a sunny day. With the changing weather, there comes varying trail conditions, rainy pavements, and occasionally the icy morning. My go-to shoe in the winter months tends to be a Gortex trail running shoe as it keeps my feet dry but it does’t mean the outside won’t get dirty. Muddy trail shoes are not a good look when at work. They leave dirt in my office and on my carpet at home. So how can I keep my running shoes clean?
Every pair of new shoes I get, whether they are waterproof or not, I spray with a Nikwax waterproof spray. This helps add a layer of protection from dirt and water (just keep in mind that this may negate any product warranties on your shoes if something happens). I will also keep last year’s shoes for very muddy or rainy days in the hopes of keeping my newer ones clean. Of course, if you live in a small flat, this approach may not work for you. If your shoes do get wet, I suggest stuffing them with newspaper and leaving overnight to dry. Most of the time, this absorbs all of the water and avoids your shoes becoming smelly. If the shoes are not wet after one night, swap out the newspaper with a new piece. Stuffing newspaper won’t help prevent mud build up, however.
For nearly a year, I have been working with ON Running and their shoes tend to have Cloud-Tec soles that can allow a lot of mud to build up (some of their shoes now have a solid sole). I have learned to check for rocks and mud when I get home from the trails, and remove as much as I can before letting them dry by the radiator. Usually, it can be easier to brush off the mud the following day. You can use a stiff brush for this if there is a lot, but be sure to avoid wire bristles that may damage the shoe. I don’t worry too much about the dirt staining my shoes but if you prefer keeping them pristine, keep reading!
It is really important to choose the right shoes for the activity you are going to do so you can focus on enjoying your time rather than worrying about your feet getting wet or slipping along the trail. If you live in a warm, dry climate, your shoes might not get too muddy and will last a long time. However, if like me, you live in a place with ample mud (thank you British weather!), Brooks Running wrote a great article on how to clean running shoes if you would like a step by step guide. Their first tip is don’t put your shoes in the washing machine, which I 100% agree with! Keep in mind that by taking care of your shoes properly, they will last you much longer. This is much more sustainable for the planet and your bank account.
If you have any other tips and tricks for keeping your sneakers clear that are not covered in their article, please leave a comment below and let me know.
by Mollie Millington | Jun 30, 2022 | product review, running
Since 2020, I have been been much more conscious of how much I cough when I run. I have also noticed that the coughing more often than not now involves stress incontinence. If you have been visiting the blog for a while, or following me on social media, you would have read my posts talking about this (going all the way back to 2018!). I don’t want stress inconvenience to be a reason why women stop exercising so I am sharing my story with info on what I am trying that helps me keep on running.
At the National Running Show in 2021, I made friends with the team at Efemia bladder support. It was so refreshing to be able to speak about the issues I had been having with stress incontinence and feel understood. The Efemia is a silicone devise that applies pressure mid-urethra, making it a different type of support than pessaries. The Efemia comes in three different sizes and can be worn all day or just when exercising. It is also available on NHS Prescription services if the cost of the start pack (£59 for three devices, one of each size) is outside of your budget. When I was speaking to the Efemia team, they said you can start with the smallest size and see if that helps improve your condition. Often times, all three sizes will be effective. One device will last 90 days if worn full time, after which point the medical-grade silicone may start to degrade.
The reason it has taken me so long to post this review is because I was struggling to get the Efemia to work for me. When I review a product here on the blog, I try it a few times to ensure I have an understanding of how it works and what the bells and whistles are. At first, I struggled to insert the Efemia and had a call with the support line at Efemia. They gave me a few tips, which seemed to work. I was aware that the Efemia was ‘there’ and that was because by the end of my 5K runs, the Efemia would be slightly dislodged. I decided to book a doctor appointment because I thought there must be an anatomical reason for this. Delays in obtaining appointments on the NHS due to Covid means it took me until February of this year to see a gynecologist. She confirmed I have a cystocele, which means my supportive tissues have stretched and left with with a little bulge. The good news is that following on from this appointment, I have receiving pelvic floor physiotherapy from the NHS. The bad news is that the Efemia isn’t the correct product for me. It really is a shame because the product is easy to clean, discreet to transport, and simple to insert and remove ( The devise is often compared to an oddly-shaped tampon in terms of insertion and removal). Check out the reviews on their website to see how the product has successfully helped other women of various ages and conditions.
You should try Efemia if you:
- Are tired of worrying about stress incontinence (you can wear all the time or just when exercising)
- Are waiting for pelvis floor physiotherapy sessions to start or for your kegels to take effect (can take up to 12 weeks)
- Are elderly and are starting to suffer from incontinence
While I am disappointed Efemia didn’t work for me, it did motivate me to see a doctor and get the help I needed. Having just started my physiotherapy journey, I will check back with an update and let you know how I get on.
*Thanks to Efemia for the complimentary sample. All opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | May 9, 2022 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
If you are new around here, you might not know that one of my goals to run a race in every state and country that I visit. People always ask me why. While I am not looking to break any World Records, I do find that running races abroad helps me see the destination from a different viewpoint (both by pace and angle), as well as allowing me to meet people I will instantly have something in common with (running!). Some of the locations I would never have come across if I hadn’t signed up. The only downside is that racing while travelling can make planning holiday activities a bit more challenging. For example, you might not want to walk too much the day before a marathon. Nor will you want to stay up late dancing the night away the day after a race (or will you?). But if you adjust your goals, for both your holiday and race, it can be worked out.
This year, I have been fortunate enough to tick two new states off my list (more on those later), as well as a new country. Malta is one of the places in Europe that I hadn’t been too yet, although I know a few people from there. It is comprised of three small islands in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Italy. There are many affordable flights to the island from London on Air Malta (I highly recomend flying business class. Great lounge and tremendous food on the flight) and other budget airlines. It never crossed my mind to look for a race there though until I heard a friend say that a new race was taking place on the island. The race offerings of Malta were very limited until La Valette Marathon was announced earlier this year. I reached out to Corsa’s marketing manager, who was happy to have me come along with a great group of runners from the 100 Marathon Club.
The La Valette Marathon event debuted on 22 April 2022. It offered many distances and race options (marathon, half marathon, relays, and walking) making it accessible to all. Malta has gorgeous views and nearly perfect weather, so I am surprised it is not already a poplar racing and/or training destination. Hopefully, this will change in the coming years.
Registration process & fees: You could register online up until four days before the event. Prices varied depending on the race from €49.95 and up. There was so much last minute interest from local government authorities and celebrities, the event kept registration until the day before. The fee included a jam-packed goody bag, Nike race t-shirt, free race photos, and a medal. If you wanted transport back to the start line, you had to pay €5 cash when you collected your bib and goody bag at the sports store in Sliema.
Location: The race started in Sliema and ended in Vittoriosa. As we lined up at the start line, the sun was rising over the ocean. Most of the half marathon was along the coast while the marathon continued south. The finish area was in the Three Cities, an important part of Malta’s history. I paid to take the bus back to the start, but it was only running every hour. Luckily there were two gelato shops at the finish line to visit while I waited.
Course & bogs: One of the big selling points for me on this race was proximity to the shoreline and accompanying scenery. I had incredible views for the majority of the race and ran past important buildings and landmarks in Malta. The roads were not closed, but instead coned off, so some bits were a bit hairy but there was over 120 people along the course to ensure you were safe and keep on route. The feedback I had from the runners who did the marathon was that it wasn’t super pretty (as it was inland) but got the job done.
The start lines had eight bogs which quickly ran out of loo roll. There were enough toilets for the amount of people though, with or without the toilet paper. Unfortunately, there weren’t any bathrooms along the way or at the finish line. As someone who routinely needs the bathroom on her runs, I suggested to the organizers that they add in a few more along the way for next year’s race. Instead, I stopped at the ferry terminal to use the bathroom along the way, which worked out perfectly.
Water stations were available every 5km with fruit every 15km, as well as sponges (for both the half and full marathons). It was a small bottle, but lasted me the whole 5K. I had decided to carry water with me anyways too because I knew it was going to be hot and I hadn’t trained for a half marathon distance properly. My finish time was a going to be a wild card. Plus, I wanted to be able to stop and take pictures as I please. There wasn’t much shade along the course and even though we started at 7:30am, the heat was intense early on.
Atmosphere: Being the first La Valette event, there were not many people cheering along the route. However, the start and finish lines were full of energy and good cheer. There were also a few bands and historical reenactments along the course. Neighbors were watching start line activities from their balconies and lots of people were meeting friends and family at the finish line.
Bling & goody bags: As I mentioned, a fantastic goody bag with drinks, snacks, discount codes to Garmin and Uncle Matt’s kitchen, as well as the performance t-shirt. Sadly, they were out of medals by the time I got to the finish line, but a envelope with instructions on how to get my medal were waiting for me. This clear communication was great as it reassured me I would get my medal (which will hopefully be arriving soon).
Tips if you decide to take part next time: The biggest tip I have is to train for heat and hills! To go along with this, practice carrying water with you as you train. Learn a bit about the history of Malta so you can appreciate the culture, architecture, and landmarks. Be sure to download Bolt app because Uber is not used on the island. Finally, I suggest adding on a day or two to explore all that Malta has to offer. I am preparing a blog post for Visit Malta on how to spend the weekend racing on the island. Will link here when it is live.
*Thanks to Corsa and Visit Malta for the complimentary race entry, flights, and hotel. All opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Apr 13, 2022 | running, sponsored post
I have been a runner for a long time. Not a fast runner. Not a great runner. But someone who loves being outdoors and meeting people who enjoy similar types of adventures. There are many running communities in London and I know I want to reach more people to encourage them to be active too in some capacity.
That is why I thrilled to announce that I am a member of the On Running ROC crew. There are about a dozen of us from all over the UK who will be sharing all the latest and greatest products as ON releases them. While I am not paid for this role, I will be receiving complimentary kit. To start off our LTR, I was allowed to choose several pieces of kit from certain ranges. I love that I was able to choose clothes that fit me and my personal style and preferences, rather than have kit I will never wear (my husband says I have too much running kit already).
For shoes, I chose the waterproof Cloudflyers in sea and glacier and Cloudultra in lavender and eclipse. When I went to the ON Running lab last summer, I found out that the Cloudflyers are a great fit for my feet, as well as the Cloudace. Normally, I am very nervous about investing in new running shoes. I have two makes/models that I know I can run in pain free. Due to Achilles tendinopathy in both feet, I need very cushioned and supportive shoes (I also need to do my physiotherapy and strength train, but it is easier to just buy shoes).
From working with ON over the last few years, I have observed that ON tends to choose natural colors for their kit than flashy neon or my favourite, pink. Of course, black is always an option too. I am loving sea. It is a very pale blue/green. I am only worried about spilling food on it! For kit, I went with the following (photo above link):
Long tights in sea
Performance T in mulberry and spice
Tank T in marine and black
Sprinter shorts in black
Climate shirt in sea
Unisex lightweight cap in blue
Mid socks in sea and rose brown
Performance Long T in mineral
Over the next year, I will be letting you know about ON sponsored running events (hopefully I will see you at a few), how I am getting on with the products above, and different initiatives ON is developing to make running more inclusive and sustainable. ON is also opening a new flagship store in a different country every month this year. I can’t wait for the London store (which will be located on Regents Street) to open at some point in the autumn.
One other thing, I have a limited number of 20% off ON Running discount codes to share with my readers. Simply email me (mollie@ptmollie.com) and I will send it on over to you.
Recent Comments