Running News Daily

The Countdown to Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships Set to Shine

In just six months, Tokyo will once again become the epicenter of global athletics as it hosts the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. From September 13 to 21, 2025, the world’s best athletes will gather in Japan’s capital, ready to compete at the highest level on one of the sport’s most prestigious stages.

Tokyo’s Legacy in Athletics

This event marks the third time Japan has hosted the World Athletics Championships, following Tokyo in 1991 and Osaka in 2007. The championships will be held at the National Stadium, originally rebuilt for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This venue will now have the opportunity to showcase its grandeur to a full audience, as fans from around the globe gather to witness athletic excellence.

Qualification Standards for Running Events

Athletes aiming to compete in Tokyo must meet stringent qualification standards, reflecting the elevated level of competition. The qualification system combines entry standards with world rankings, aiming to fill approximately 50% of the athlete quota through direct qualification and the remaining through rankings. Notably, the entry standards for several events have become more demanding compared to previous championships. 

Men’s Running Events:

• 100 meters: 10.00 seconds

• 200 meters: 20.16 seconds 

• 400 meters: 44.85 seconds

• 800 meters: 1:44.50 

• 1500 meters: 3:33.00 

• 5000 meters: 13:01.00 

• 10,000 meters: 27:00.00 

• Marathon: 2:06:30 

• 3000 meters steeplechase: 8:15.00

Women’s Running Events:

• 100 meters: 11.07 seconds 

• 200 meters: 22.57 seconds 

• 400 meters: 50.75 seconds 

• 800 meters: 1:59.00 

• 1500 meters: 4:01.50 

• 5000 meters: 14:50.00

• 10,000 meters: 30:20.00 

• Marathon: 2:23:30 

• 3000 meters steeplechase: 9:18.00 

These elevated standards underscore the championship’s commitment to showcasing peak athletic performance. For instance, the women’s marathon qualification time has been tightened by over three minutes compared to previous benchmarks, now set at 2:23:30.  

Qualification Windows

The qualification windows vary by event category: 

• Marathon and 35km Race Walk: November 5, 2023, to May 4, 2025

• 10,000 meters, 20km Race Walk, Combined Events, and Relays: February 25, 2024, to August 24, 2025 

• All Other Events: August 1, 2024, to August 24, 2025

These periods provide athletes with ample opportunity to achieve the necessary standards and secure their place in the championships.  

Tokyo Welcomes the World

Four years after hosting the Olympics, Tokyo is ready to embrace the world’s best athletes once more. The city’s rich cultural heritage, combined with its state-of-the-art facilities, promises an unforgettable experience for both competitors and spectators. As the countdown continues, anticipation builds for what is sure to be a historic and exhilarating championship.

(03/13/2025) Views: 165 ⚡AMP
by Boris Baron