Anzu Shibuya shone brightly at the Tokyo Marathon 2025, finishing as the top Japanese runner with an impressive time of 2 hours 23 minutes and 37 seconds. This remarkable performance earned her the eleventh position overall, setting her on course for potential entry to the upcoming World Championships.
Completing the first half of the race with remarkable speed, Shibuya reached the 20-kilometer mark at 1 hour 6 minutes and 29 seconds. While she found herself running alone after the halfway point, she maintained her rhythm and did not let the solitude disrupt her performance. Shibuya’s resilience and focus on the course allowed her to achieve her best time and raise her standing significantly.
With the completion of this marathon, Shibuya has jumped to the top of the provisional standings for the JMC Series Phase 4, which runs from March 31, 2024, to March 25, 2025. This places her significantly closer to securing her spot on the Japanese squad for the World Championships, as athletes need to reach the national time standard to be considered.
Prior to this race, only two Japanese female runners had achieved the qualification standard of 2 hours 23 minutes and 30 seconds set by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) for the World Championship trials. Kana Kobayashi, with her phenomenal finish of 2 hours and 21 minutes and 19 seconds at the Osaka International Marathon, and Yuka Suzuki, who clocked 2 hours and 21 minutes and 33 seconds, were the only runners who had met this requirement before Shibuya’s day on the course.
Experts noted the conditions of the race were optimal, contributing to Shibuya’s outstanding performance. "Anzu Shibuya finished with an impressive time of 2 hours 23 minutes and 37 seconds, securing her place as the top Japanese competitor," remarked local sports analysts who have closely followed the race dynamics.
They added, "Her strong finish has brought her closer to qualifying for the World Championships, which is very exciting." Each marathon continues to be significant for Shibuya and other contenders as they strive to confirm their places on the national team.
The Tokyo Marathon not only celebrates the spirit of running but also highlights the fierce competition among Japanese women marathoners who are reaching new heights. The urban course, often filled with cheering spectators, could be seen as both inspiring and challenging, and it has led to remarkable achievements over recent years.
Looking forward, the Nagoya Women’s Marathon scheduled for next weekend is also designated as a qualifying race for the World Championships, drawing attention to it as another opportunity for aspiring marathoners like Shibuya and her contemporaries. Runners are especially eager to perform well, as this may finalize their selections for the prestigious international competitions.
Shibuya’s performance at the Tokyo Marathon symbolizes not just personal triumph but reflects the increasingly competitive scene of women’s marathoning within Japan. This upwards trend has invigorated interest and support for female athletes aiming to make their mark on the international stage.
Going forward, with more races lined up and the World Championships on the horizon, Anzu Shibuya and fellow competitors are preparing vigorously. The excitement fingers through the ranks of Japan’s elite runners as they chase their dreams of glory, aiming for not only personal bests but for the opportunity to represent their country on the world stage.
Indeed, with the continuation of the JMC Series and world-class events, the narrative of women’s marathon running is transforming. Shibuya's dedication and determination at the Tokyo Marathon present not only the promise of her bright future but also inspire the next generation of runners who look up to her achievements, paving paths for countless others.