Half Marathon Marks Legacy Of Tokyo Games
A half marathon was held in Tokyo on Sunday to commemorate last year's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
About 14,000 people, including top Japanese and foreign runners and Paralympic athletes, took part in the first "Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon."
The course started and finished at the National Stadium, where the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics took place.
The venue for the Olympic marathon was moved to the northern city of Sapporo to avoid Tokyo's summer heat.
Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko was the starter for Sunday's race.
Many people gathered along the road near the stadium and waved hand-made flags to encourage the runners.
A 50-year-old runner who worked as a volunteer during last year's Games said she felt disappointed when the Olympic marathon was moved to Sapporo, but Sunday's race will be a good memory for her.
Koike said sports is for everyone, regardless of gender, age or disabilities. She added that she believes the half marathon will become a good opportunity for people to remember the legacy of the Tokyo Games.
The Tokyo half marathon will be held every year.