On the 2nd March 2025, I ran in Tokyo my 22nd marathon along with another 104 charity runners from 23 countries to support WaterAid Japan to bring clean drinking water to a community in Rwanda. I have been in love with Japan since the first time I come back to visit, back in 2013; where I spent a couple of weeks travelling alone by train using the rail pass; since then, I knew I will always come back.

When WaterAid Japan kindly offered me a charity place to run for them I was over the moon; as part of my 100 marathons 7 continents challenge to provide WASH, which is Water, Sanitation facilities and Hygiene to those in those in need.

The preparation before the race was a bit tough as I picked up a leg injury in training week 7 and couldn’t run much until race week; also the day before I flew out to Haneda I developed an eye infection and suddenly I had to run to emergency in the hospital as I couldn’t open my left eye at all; I was very worried about it and in end everything work out fine; I only had to take eye drops every hour for a week.

On Friday morning, just two days before the race I went to the Expo to pick up my bib number and to meet Marina and the WaterAid Japan team.

Marathon day was supper well organised; I took an early train from Hibiya station in Ueno all the way to start line. Time went so fast in the morning, and the we started running at around 9.15 am. I did the first 10km into the race in around 48 minutes, I was trying to push myself to find out in which kind of form I was, so then I slowed down as I wanted to make it to the finish line in one piece. I stopped briefly to see a friend who was supporting me during the day and to all WaterAid’s point to say HI during the race and the I crossed the finish line in 3 hours 58 minutes.

I was super excited and very tired at the same time; having completed marathon 21 in 5 continents for WaterAid and the first one in Tokyo after all the issues I had to overcome, was very rewarding. After crossing the finish line I made my way to the reception to celebrate it where I had so much fun; and a legs massage which was incredible.

Most importantly, the funds raised through the Tokyo Marathon 2025 charity fundraisers will be used for their WASH project, “ Flowing Futures “ in the Bugesera District, Easter province, Rwanda which begun in August 2024.

The project will improve water and sanitation facilities I schools and communities, providing 12,000 people with access to clean water. Additionally, it will provide 3,840 children with access to decent toilets at their school and reach 59,000 people with hygiene behaviour change messages.

Arigato Marina, and the WaterAid team for organising all of that for us, I will never forget it.

Sayonara!