Global Charity Running Brand, RealBuzz, Completes Major Partnership with The Tokyo Marathon as International Charity Partner

October 21, 2024

Realbuzz, charity running partner to many of the world’s most popular endurance events, has secured a multi-year partnership with the Tokyo Marathon Foundation to become the exclusive International Charity Partner for the prestigious Tokyo Marathon.

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Realbuzz, charity running partner to many of the world’s most popular endurance events, has secured a multi-year partnership with the Tokyo Marathon Foundation to become the exclusive International Charity Partner for the prestigious Tokyo Marathon. Part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the Tokyo Marathon, which takes place in March each year, plays host to over 38,000 runners from more than 100 countries and regions every year.

The exclusive partnership, that commences with the Tokyo Marathon 2026, will see realbuzz leverage its substantial experience in charity running programmes, to recruit and steward a range of international charities and their runners. The ambition is to significantly drive-up international charity participation in the race alongside it’s successful domestic charity programme, supercharging the fundraising impact that the event delivers and cascading its impact on charitable causes and the culture of giving to a worldwide level.

Tadaaki Hayano, Chairman and CEO, says of the partnership: “Charity and community are key parts of the Tokyo Marathon, so we are delighted to expand our footprint in these areas, internationally, by partnering with realbuzz. The vision is to significantly increase overall charity participation in the field and open up the event’s fundraising potential to charities across the world. We know our prospective international charity partners will be in good hands with realbuzz and we are looking forward to growing together.”

The news marks yet another significant milestone for realbuzz, as the organisation continues to grow and maximise the boom in running. Nick Hollowood, Chief Commercial Officer, elaborates: “There is so much demand surrounding events like the renowned Tokyo Marathon and so much opportunity for charity fundraising. The industry is seeing significant growth in event participation and charity running provides a great way to combine physical activity, travel and giving back. This partnership marks a huge step forward in continuing the realbuzz mission of making charity running more accessible, worldwide, and further bolsters our amazing portfolio of event partners, including now three Abbott World Marathon Majors and the SuperHalfs Series.”

Realbuzz has been a leader in the charity running field for over twenty years, but post-covid, it has expanded its leadership team and doubled-down on its core purpose of facilitating fundraising by pairing charities with runners and the events they want to be part of, engaging with over 250,000 charity runners worldwide and partnered with renowned events like the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Irish Life Dublin Marathon and now Tokyo Marathon – an event which has cemented it’s place in history.

First held in 2007, the Tokyo Marathon launched its domestic charity program in 2010 and joined the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2012, continuing its growth. Currently, under the Tokyo Marathon Foundation’s charity program, “Run with Heart,” The foundation aims to expand the message of “connecting the joy of running to someone else’s happiness.” By creating opportunities for easy and accessible ways to contribute to society, they work toward a richer and more fulfilling life for everyone. Realbuzz is proud to support the mission of “Run with Heart” in joining the Tokyo Marathon this year.

For more information regarding charity partnership with realbuzz, visit realbuzz.com. To find out more about the Tokyo Marathon visit marathon.tokyo.

**Photo Credit: © Tokyo Marathon Foundation**

Ends

About realbuzz: Realbuzz is the world’s leading provider of charity running programmes, with over twenty years’ experience connecting charities with runners and sell-out global events, raising vital funding for over 5,000 charities globally. The realbuzz mission is to make charity running more accessible worldwide. From building and supporting charity programmes for major endurance events, ensuring they become major fundraising destinations for all partner charities, to recruiting and supporting runners and organisations looking to raise funds in some of the world’s most sought-after events, realbuzz works to help as many people as possible make the miles mean more.

About the Tokyo Marathon Foundation: The Foundation was established on June 30, 2010 with the goal of improving public health and enhance the city of Tokyo by spreading the joy of running. The Foundation continues to grow through our activities, which include organizing the Tokyo Marathon, various running-related projects, and initiatives that contribute to society.

The foundation’s mission is to “change the future, through the joy of running.” With a declining birthrate, aging population, and increasing life expectancy, the promotion of healthy lifestyles is a key area for the future society. The excitement and energy that come from running can change lifestyles, strengthen bonds between people, and create a better society. The foundation believes that running possesses such power.

Together with the local community, businesses, and all runners, the foundation continues striving to create a new lifestyle by expanding the possibilities of running.