JP / EN
JP / EN
THE ISSUE
A reality where
"normal" is not allowed.
Around the world, millions of children are still unable to attend school because they are forced to work.
138 million — 1 in every 13 children is estimated to be in child labour.
Learning, playing, laughing, dreaming — the "ordinary" things that should be a given are still being denied to children today.
Your decision to run can be one step toward changing that reality.
ABOUT ACE
What is ACE?
ACE is an NGO working to realise a world free from child labour, where children's rights are protected. From supporting communities in Ghana's cocoa-producing regions to collaborating with corporations and governments to create structural change, ACE is committed to eliminating child labour at its roots. ACE also promotes children's rights in Japan through workshops, policy advocacy, and wellbeing programmes.
2,500+
Children freed from child labour so far
138M
Children in child labour worldwide
Certified NPO
Certified by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Since 2019
Tokyo Marathon charity partner
CHARITY RUNNER
What is a Charity Runner?
A "Charity Runner" is a runner who makes a donation over a certain amount to the designated charity organization and participates in the Tokyo Marathon to spread the greatness of charity activities.
Anyone who donates at or above the amount set by their chosen charity organisation and wishes to participate may apply to run as a Charity Runner in Tokyo Marathon 2027 Charity.
To run as an ACE Charity Runner, a minimum donation of ¥200,000 is required.
Every yen goes directly towards ACE's work to end child labour.
Charity Runner Benefits (all participants)
① Exclusive Charity Runner Finish Lounge (planned)
② Charity T-shirt
※ Additional ACE-specific hospitality will be announced once confirmed.
ENTRY
How to Enter
Charity Runners will be selected from applicants received during the application period, based on ACE's selection criteria.
Application Details
Period
Wed 24 June 2026, 11:00 — Thu 9 July 2026, 17:00 (JST)
Slots
233 runners
Selection
① Minimum donation of ¥200,000 per person
② Higher donation amounts take priority
③ In case of equal amounts, earlier application date takes priority
Hospitality
Exclusive Charity Runner Finish Lounge (planned), Charity T-shirt
※ ACE-specific benefits will be announced once confirmed.
1
Visit the official charity page
Go to the Tokyo Marathon 2027 Charity page (RUN with HEART) and select "ACE" as your chosen charity organisation.
2
Submit your donation application
Click "Apply for Donation" and complete the process through the donation system.
(Application period: Wed 24 June 2026, 11:00 — Thu 9 July 2026, 17:00 JST)
[Important Notes]
-
Once registered, your chosen charity organisation cannot be changed for any reason. The donation amount submitted at the time of application also cannot be changed.
-
Duplicate applications to multiple organisations as a Charity Runner are not permitted. If discovered, the applicant will be disqualified.
-
Entry transfer to another person (proxy running, rights transfer) is not permitted.
-
If the donation paid is less than the amount applied for, the Charity Runner application will be deemed invalid.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
※ The rules and structure of the charity programme are set by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation and cannot be changed by ACE independently. Details are subject to change. For the latest and most accurate information, please contact the Tokyo Marathon Foundation directly.
HIGHLIGHT
ACE Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity Highlight Video
VOICES
From our Charity Runners
“Just running” and “running as a Charity Runner” are completely different experiences. Having a purpose — running to support children — gave me a sense of responsibility and mission. Knowing that others were cheering me on made me push forward in a way I never expected.
Yumi Shimano
Internal medicine
and
Pediatric physician
Great experience having the opportunity of meeting ACE staff at the Expo and on the race day, on the road and at the lounge.
Your kindness and efforts to make everyone to feel great are unbeatable.
Not to mention the incredible job the organization makes to fight against child exploitation.
Thanks a lot and keep on doing this way.
I would definitely recommend running through a charity. From picking up my pink bib to using the changing area at the end and encountering the many wonderful, helpful and appreciative people in between really enhanced my race day experience.
AMBASSADORS
ACE Charity Ambassadors
Meet the Charity Ambassadors supporting ACE and the Tokyo Marathon 2027 Charity.
MATSURUN Founder / Coach · Head Coach, Surugadai University Women's Ekiden Team
Shogo Matsugaki
Former Hakone Ekiden runner and NTT West Japan athlete. After retiring from competitive running, he supported Japan’s national visually impaired athletes as a guide runner, and served as an ACE Charity Ambassador for the 2019 race. He currently works as a running coach.
ACA (Chartered Accountant) · Two-time World Marathon Majors finisher
Piyush Gudka
Accomplished business professional, endurance athlete, and running coach. Piyush has twice completed the world’s six major marathons and has participated in more than 125 marathons and ultra-marathons worldwide.
He has trained over 250 runners and inspired many more through his coaching and running activities around the world. He has served as an ACE Charity Ambassador since 2020.
Contact: ace_charity@acejapan.org
ACE is an official charity of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation Charity RUN with HEART.