Introduction
In the Yokohama Marathon, we hope to reduce as much as possible the risk of rushed overtaking, physical contact between runners, and falling after the start of the race by placing runners of similar running ability in the same start block.
For this purpose, we will ask you to inform your records from past competitions and your estimated time to assess your running ability, which will be used as a reference for block allocation.
In addition, since net time will be used for the official record, participants who start from the back block will be able to start the race in an unhurried pace. We ask for everyone’s cooperation in making this a safe event.
Regarding the estimated time
If you are running a full marathon for the first time and don’t know your expected time, please refer to the “calculating conversion” below based on your records in other races.
The coefficients are set independently by the secretariat, based on general methods, literature, and past YOKOHAMA MARATHON times.
You do not necessarily have to use this time conversion; you may declare an estimated time based on your own running ability.
If you do not have any records in other races, we recommend that you run about 10km to check your running ability before applying.
In a full marathon, you will need time to drink water, eat meals, and use the toilet during the race, so please take this time into account when submitting your estimated time.
About verification of past tournament records and time conversion
We will verify the records of past tournaments submitted by the applicant. In cases when the declared time refers to a half marathon or 10km, the start block will be determined based on the converted time equivalent of completing a full marathon, using the following coefficient.
The coefficients are set by the Secretariat based on general methods and literature and past time records of Yokohama Marathon.
【About calculating conversion】
【Conversion example】
each record → converted time
■Full marathon
The record of past races will be used as it is
■Half marathon
The record of past races will be multiplied by 2.5
■10㎞
The record of past races will be multiplied by 5.5
■Full marathon
4 hours（×1.0）⇒ 4 hours
■Half marathon
2 hours（×2.5）⇒ 5 hours
■10㎞
60 minutes（×5.5）⇒ 5 hours and 30 minutes
About start block allocation
The start blocks will be allocated in order of running ability according to the declared time（see below for reference）.
The start block for those who apply as a group of 2 to 5 people will also be determined according to each individual’s declared time.
If group members would like to start from the same block, they will be allocated to the block further in the back where other group members are.
Official record
In the Yokohama Marathon, net time will be the official record.
What is net time
Net time is the time it takes a runner to run the distance from the start to the finish line, rather than all runners’ time measurements being counted from the moment the pistol sounds at the start of the race (gun time).
