With running and fitness attracting followers as the annual Tokyo Marathon gains in popularity, a new running course around Tokyo's Odaiba area (where the marathon finishes) opened on May 22. It offers views of Tokyo Bay and is uninterrupted by traffic.
Along the course stands the Grand Pacific Le Daiba hotel, which from April 29 started a support system for runners. Using its swimming pool Grand Blue — which has men's and women's locker rooms each with 96 lockers, seven showers and eight dressers with hair dryers and other amenities — the hotel seeks to provide runners with comfort.
Currently, a collaboration with Reebok Japan, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas, allows those using the support system to try Reebok's latest running shoe lines, such as Zigtech and Taikan, for free.