Sara Hall Returns to Tokyo Marathon Seeking Another Strong Performance

American distance running star Sara Hall is gearing up for her third appearance at the Tokyo Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2026. Hall, currently ranked #115 in the women’s marathon and #172 in women’s road running by World Athletics , is a key contender in the field as she returns to the Japanese capital. Her preparation and career will be highlighted during the event, alongside insights into the race week from Abbott World Marathon Majors’ David Macnamara .

Sara Hall’s Accomplishments and Career Highlights

Sara Hall (née Bei), born April 15, 1983, is a professional distance runner for ASICS. She holds a personal best time of 2:20:32 in the marathon, achieved at the Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona, on December 22, 2020, making her the third-fastest American woman in history . Hall has also demonstrated success on the track and road, with wins in mile road races, including the Drake Relays Grand Blue Mile and the US National Road Mile Championships . She has secured 1500 meter titles, including a victory at the Millrose Games .

Hall is a two-time member of the United States world team for the World Indoor Track and Field Championships, achieving a 12th-place finish in the 3000 meters at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships . She was also part of the US team at the 2006 and 2015 World Cross Country Championships and won the American title at the USA Cross Country Championships in 2012 .

The Tokyo Marathon and Abbott World Marathon Majors

The Tokyo Marathon, taking place on March 1, 2026, is the first of the Abbott World Marathon Majors for the latest season . The event attracts approximately 39,000 runners, but gaining entry is highly competitive, with over 300,000 applicants vying for a limited number of bibs .

The Abbott World Marathon Majors series includes seven prestigious races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City . Entry methods vary, including ballot/lottery systems, qualifying times, and opportunities for charity runners or those participating through travel packages .

How to Enter the Tokyo Marathon

For the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, applications for the ballot opened from August 15 – August 29, 2025, and have since closed . Successful applicants were notified in early October and had approximately two weeks to pay the ¥18,200 (approximately $230 USD) entry fee . The odds of securing a spot through the lottery are roughly 1 in 10 . Runners can also attempt to qualify by submitting proof of a qualifying time achieved after January 1 of the previous year on an AIMS-certified course .