English Learning Content: Tokyo Marathon 2025 Highlights

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, did you hear about the Tokyo Marathon 2025?

Bob: Alice, I did! My social media is already buzzing with “I’m training for it!” posts. Like, really?

Alice: Tell me about it. I saw a guy post about his ‘long run’ being 5k. I nearly choked on my coffee.

Bob: Hey, 5k is a start! For *some* people. Me, I’m just looking forward to the epic costumes.

Alice: Ah, the costume runners! They’re definitely a highlight. Remember the guy dressed as a giant sushi roll?

Bob: How could I forget? He was practically rolling himself across the finish line. I bet his soy sauce dipping station was a hit.

Alice: You’d think they’d trip. But no, they power through. What are you actually looking forward to, Bob? The elite runners breaking records?

Bob: Honestly? The drama. Will someone bonk spectacularly? Will there be a surprise underdog winner? It’s like a live-action sports soap opera.

Alice: You’re terrible! But true, the stories are always gripping. I’m excited to see if they introduce any new tech or course changes.

Bob: Oh, definitely. Imagine if they had a giant conveyor belt for the last 5k. Instant personal bests for everyone!

Alice: That defeats the purpose, you couch potato! But a massage station at the 30k mark? Now *that* I could get behind.

Bob: Genius! Or maybe a ramen stand at the halfway point. Fueling up in style.

Alice: You’re just thinking with your stomach, as usual. I’m more curious about the atmosphere. The crowds are always incredible.

Bob: That’s it, Alice! The energy from the spectators is infectious. Even if you’re just watching from your sofa, you feel it.

Alice: Exactly. It’s truly one of the biggest spectacles in Tokyo. Maybe we should go watch it live this time?

Bob: Only if you promise to hold my ramen for me while I cheer. My arms get tired.

Alice: Deal! But you’re buying the ramen.

Current Situation

The Tokyo Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, attracting both elite professional runners and a massive field of enthusiastic amateurs from around the globe. Held annually, typically in early March, it’s renowned for its flat, fast course that winds through some of Tokyo’s most iconic districts, offering breathtaking views and incredible crowd support. For 2025, anticipation is already building for another spectacular event.

Runners vie for coveted spots through a lottery system, and the event is celebrated not just for its athletic prowess but also for the vibrant atmosphere, unique Japanese hospitality, and often, the incredible creativity displayed by costume-clad participants. Highlights usually include record-breaking attempts by top athletes, inspiring stories of perseverance, and the sheer spectacle of thousands of runners painting the city streets with their determination.

Key Phrases

• buzzing with posts: Full of social media updates or messages.
  My feed is buzzing with posts about the new Marvel movie.
• choked on my coffee: To laugh or be surprised so much that you almost cough while drinking. (Used idiomatically for extreme surprise/amusement).
  He told such a ridiculous joke, I nearly choked on my coffee.
• epic costumes: Very impressive, grand, or spectacular outfits.
  The carnival parade was famous for its epic costumes.
• power through: To continue working or doing something difficult until it is finished.
  Despite feeling tired, she decided to power through the last few miles of her run.
• bonk spectacularly: (Slang, especially in endurance sports) To hit “the wall” or suddenly run out of energy in a very noticeable or dramatic way.
  He ran too fast at the start and was worried he might bonk spectacularly before the finish line.
• underdog winner: A person or team that is not expected to win but does.
  No one expected the small team to win, but they became the ultimate underdog winner.
• couch potato: An idle person who spends a lot of time watching television.
  After a long week, all I want to do is be a couch potato and watch movies.
• get behind (an idea/plan): To support or agree with something.
  That’s a fantastic proposal! I can definitely get behind that.
• thinking with your stomach: Making decisions or expressing desires primarily based on hunger or a craving for food.
  You always want to go to a buffet; you’re constantly thinking with your stomach!
• infectious (energy/laughter): (Of a feeling or quality) likely to spread to and affect others.
  Her enthusiasm for the project was infectious, motivating everyone around her.
• spectacle: An event or scene regarded in terms of its visual impact, especially one that is impressive or dramatic.
  The fireworks display was a magnificent spectacle.

Grammar Points

• Phrasal Verbs: These are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both), which create a new meaning.
  • Power through: To complete a difficult task.
    Example: She had to power through the intense workout.
  • Get behind (an idea/plan): To support or endorse something.
    Example: The whole team will get behind this new strategy.
• Idiomatic Expressions: Phrases or expressions whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meaning of its words.
  • Choke on your coffee: To react with surprise or laughter while drinking.
    Example: He almost choked on his coffee when he heard the news.
  • Thinking with your stomach: Making decisions based on hunger.
    Example: Stop thinking with your stomach and choose a healthy meal!
  • Couch potato: A person who spends a lot of time watching TV and not doing much exercise.
    Example: After my exams, I’m going to be a total couch potato for a week.
• Future Simple (will): Used for predictions, spontaneous decisions, or promises.
  • Predictions: Will someone bonk spectacularly?
  • Spontaneous Decisions: Don’t worry, I will help you.
  • Promises: I will call you tomorrow.
• Present Continuous for Future Plans: Used for definite plans or arrangements in the near future.
  • We are meeting Alice for dinner at 7 PM tonight. (It’s a definite plan)
  • They are leaving for the airport tomorrow morning. (Arranged travel)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Use the correct key phrase from the list (buzzing with posts, choked on my coffee, power through, couch potato, get behind, thinking with your stomach, infectious, spectacle).

1. My social media is already ___________ about the new concert tickets.
2. She tried to tell a joke, but I almost ___________ when she messed up the punchline.
3. Even though he was tired, he managed to ___________ the last mile of the race.
4. My friend is such a ___________; he never wants to leave the house.
5. That’s a brilliant idea! I can definitely ___________ that plan.
6. You always want to order pizza; you’re always ___________.
7. The energy of the crowd was ___________.
8. The carnival parade was a magnificent ___________.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Future Form

Complete the sentences using will or the present continuous (be + -ing) for future actions.

1. I think it ___________ (rain) tomorrow.
2. We ___________ (meet) Alice for dinner at 7 PM tonight. (It’s a definite plan)
3. He’s running so fast, he ___________ (tire out) quickly.
4. “The phone is ringing!” “Don’t worry, I ___________ (answer) it.”
5. What time ___________ (they / leave) for the airport tomorrow morning? (It’s a definite plan)

Exercise 3: Answer the Questions

Based on the dialogue, answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. What is Bob most looking forward to at the Tokyo Marathon?
2. What kind of runners do Alice and Bob find particularly humorous?
3. What absurd ideas do Bob and Alice have for the marathon course?
4. What does Alice suggest they do for the 2025 marathon?

Answers

Exercise 1 Answers

1. buzzing with posts
2. choked on my coffee
3. power through
4. couch potato
5. get behind
6. thinking with your stomach
7. infectious
8. spectacle

Exercise 2 Answers

1. will rain
2. are meeting
3. will tire out
4. will answer
5. are they leaving

Exercise 3 Answers

1. Bob is most looking forward to the drama and epic costumes, like people bonking spectacularly or a surprise underdog winner.
2. Alice and Bob find the costume runners particularly humorous.
3. Bob suggests a giant conveyor belt for the last 5k and a ramen stand at the halfway point. Alice suggests a massage station at the 30k mark.
4. Alice suggests they go watch the 2025 marathon live this time.