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Tokyo Marathon Increases Supplies of Sports Drink, Bananas and Food

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/tm2008/news/20080208-OYT1T00503.htm?from=navr
http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2008/02/07/056/

translated and edited by Brett Larner

Tokyo Marathon 2008 sponsor Otsuka Seiyaku announced that it will be increasing the amount of its sports drink Amino Value which will be available to support the 30,000 runners at this week's race. Otsuka Seiyaku supplied 230,000 cups of Amino Value at last year's race, but in response to requests from runners it will be supplying 280,000 cups at this year's event. The drink will be offered in its double-strength format, containing 4000 mg of amino acids rather than the standard 2000 mg format.

Sports drink, water and other assistance for runners will be available at 10 stations, including the start, goal, and 8 locations along the course. A map showing the locations of the aid stations is available here.

The Tokyo Marathon also announced that it is increasing the number of bananas available along the course to 60,000, an increase of 18,000 from last year's 1st running. In last year's event, 42,000 bananas were available for the 26,000 runners in the full marathon event. According to the organizers, "Last year, many runners were out of energy due to the cold weather, and the faster people who usually don't eat during a marathon took food. As a consequence, the slower runners who needed food more couldn't get any, especially in the later stages of the course."

In response to criticism following last year's race, the number of raisins available along the course has also been significantly increased from 10,000 to 400,000, and the number of pastries such as anpan and cream buns have been increased from 12,000 to 20,000. 6000 ningyoyaki, a local baked specialty in Asakusa, will also be available along the Asakusa section of the course.

This year 27,500 runners are entered in the full marathon event, which runs from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government offices to Tokyo Big Sight.

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