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Tokyo Marathon Announces $1,084,000 Prize Purse

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/local/081107/lcl0811071352000-n1.htm
http://www.tokyo42195.org/2009/news/post_13.html

translated and edited by Brett Larner

On the afternoon of Nov. 7 Tokyo mayor Shintaro Ishihara announced the first-ever prize money purse for the 2009 Tokyo Marathon, to be awarded to the top finishers in next March's 3rd running. The complete purse totals $1,084,000 including $352,000 in prize money and $732,000 in time bonuses with a maximum potential payout of $460,000 to the men's winner.

The 1st place male and female finishers will receive $80,000, with 2nd place getting $40,000 and 3rd place $20,000. Prize money goes 10 deep, with the 10th place finisher receiving $1000. A Japanese runner who wins in a new national record will receive a $50,000 bonus, while a new world record would be good for a $300,000 bonus. Because officials hope to make the Tokyo Marathon the key domestic selection race for men's Olympic and World Championships teams, a Japanese man who wins in a course record time will receive a $30,000 bonus. The first 2 editions of the Tokyo Marathon did not include an elite women's field, so no course record bonus will be available this year for women. Altogether, this means that a Japanese man who sets a world record in Tokyo would receive a total prize payout of $460,000, while a Japanese woman who sets a world record would receive $430,000. The winners in the wheelchair division will receive $20,000, with wheelchair prize money running 3 deep.

The Tokyo Marathon received a silver rating from the IAAF. To help improve the event's ranking, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government closely examined the gold label New York City Marathon and London Marathon's prize money structure, particularly New York's $130,000 prize for 1st place and London's $55,000 winner's prize.

A complete breakdown of the prize money available at the 2009 Tokyo Marathon is available in English here.

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