Tokyo Yamathon 2013

If the word ‘marathon’ makes you squirm with dread, fear not: you can opt to walk or run this one, and you have 12 hours in which to do it…

Should your team of four accept the challenge and join the Yamathon, you’ll follow/drag each other round Tokyo’s Yamanote line, stopping at each of its 29 stations to take a pic for proof, in the process earning money for Oxfam. The rules are simple: it’s open to everyone (as long as you can walk/run an approximate distance of 38 kilometers – it’s further if you get lost!), and teams of 3 or 4 people must raise ¥8,000 as a registration fee, which will entirely go towards Oxfam’s work during ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This ‘ultimate urban challenge’ not only helps a good cause, it’s also an opportunity to see a lot of Tokyo landmarks and places you don’t normally visit in the city, all in one day. Anyone who has taken the challenge before (there have been four previous Yamathons) will know about the rivalry and camaraderie that seem to co-exist between teams – and they’ll also speak of some pretty enjoyable parties after the walk/run come evening time…

You can register now – the deadline is April 17. If you can’t find willing participants to come along with you but still wish to go, you can find members on this page.

Tokyo Yamathon (click for more details or see the flyer below)

When: April 20 from 06:15

Where: starting point at Yoyogi Park (near Harajuku station)

Tokyo Yamathon 2013