The Tokyo Marathon, an event in the global running calendar, not only offers runners from around the world an opportunity to showcase their endurance and speed but also promises substantial financial rewards for top performers. As part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM), the Tokyo Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a high-stakes competition with a lucrative prize purse that attracts elite athletes.
We’ll explore the prize money distribution for Series XIV, detailing how athletes earn their share through performance and strategic participation in qualifying races.
Understanding Series Scoring and Prize Purse
The AbbottWMM operates on a point system, allowing athletes to accumulate points based on their placement in the top five at Qualifying Races during a one-year scoring period. The points are distributed as follows:
- 1st place earns 25 points
- 2nd place earns 16 points
- 3rd place gets 9 points
- 4th place receives 4 points
- 5th place is awarded 1 point
Athletes aim to score points from a maximum of two Qualifying Races within each scoring period. To be eligible for the championship title, an athlete must start in at least two Qualifying Races over the Series cycle. If an athlete earns points in more than two events, only the highest two finishes are scored, optimizing the strategy for achieving the best possible outcome.
The Wheelchair Series mirrors these rules with slight modifications regarding the number of races that count towards the title, offering a more inclusive competition structure for wheelchair athletes.
Bonus Points for Wheelchair Athletes
Beginning with Series XII, an innovative addition to the scoring system was introduced for wheelchair athletes. Bonus points are now available through a spring competition held at varying locations within each AbbottWMM race course.
This competition offers an additional eight bonus points to the first wheelchair athlete past a designated mark, with a cap of three wins for additional points per series. This inclusion fosters a more dynamic and competitive environment, enhancing the race’s appeal and inclusivity.
Tokyo Marathon 2024 Prize Money Breakdown
The financial rewards for the Tokyo Marathon and the series at large are substantial, underscoring the event’s prestige. The prize money is distributed equally among the top five women and men in both the open and wheelchair divisions as follows:
Category | Place | Prize Money | Total per Category |
---|---|---|---|
Series XIV Men | 1st | $50,000 | $100,000 |
2nd | $25,000 | ||
3rd | $12,500 | ||
4th | $7,500 | ||
5th | $5,000 | ||
Series XIV Women | 1st | $50,000 | $100,000 |
2nd | $25,000 | ||
3rd | $12,500 | ||
4th | $7,500 | ||
5th | $5,000 | ||
Wheelchair Series XIV Men | 1st | $50,000 | $100,000 |
2nd | $25,000 | ||
3rd | $12,500 | ||
4th | $7,500 | ||
5th | $5,000 | ||
Wheelchair Series XIV Women | 1st | $50,000 | $100,000 |
2nd | $25,000 | ||
3rd | $12,500 | ||
4th | $7,500 | ||
5th | $5,000 | ||
Grand Total for All Categories | $400,000 |
This structure ensures that each of the Series XIV Men, Series XIV Women, Wheelchair Series XIV Men, and Wheelchair Series XIV Women divisions has a total prize purse of $100,000, topping in a grand total of $400,000 distributed among the victors.
The Impact of Prize Money
The substantial prize purse at the Tokyo Marathon and throughout the AbbottWMM series not only underscores the significance of these races in the world of competitive running but also highlights the incredible talent and dedication of the athletes who participate. For many, the financial rewards can support further training and development, while for others, it’s a testament to their achievements in the demanding world of marathon running.