At Room to Read, we believe World Change Starts with Educated Children®.
By running the Tokyo Marathon as a charity runner, you’ll help provide children and girls with the literacy and life skills they need to shape brighter futures. Since 2023, 374 dedicated runners have raised funds to support education for over 29,500 children worldwide.
We make it easy to support your run:
Donate in your local currency (AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, USD, JPY)
Access tax benefits in many countries
Double your impact through corporate matching
Use our fundraising platform to rally your network with ease
Your steps can help close the literacy gap—773 million people still cannot read, and two-thirds are women and girls.
Join us. Run for a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality.
🌟 Our Goal for 2026
Our goal for the 2026 Tokyo Marathon is to help 10,000 young learners and girls in historically low-income communities access quality education.
📍Quota 147 Runners
🎓 How to Join Application Period：June 24 (Tue.) 11AM 〜 July 9 (Wed.) 5PM JST
Minimum Donation: JPY 375,000 (≒ US$2,500) or more. *Selection is based on donation amount and message. An additional US$230 registration fee applies for international runners.
Multiple currencies accepted.
Donate in AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, USD, and JPY. Tax benefits are available in many countries. Check here.
Corporate matches accepted.
Check here under “Matching Gifts and Workplace Giving”.
Fundraising platform provided.
Receive support from your network!🚀 Our Fundraising Target
Your fundraising goals will make a significant difference: We ask all of our charity runners try to raise $5,000 (including the minimum commitiment) in order to secure education for 10,000 children and girls!
$2,500: Literacy Learning packages for an entire school including student books, posters, materials and supplies, library management manuals and reading activity guides.
$5,000: Support 100 children with literacy education for an entire year
$10,000: Support 200 girls in our Girls’ Education Program for an entire year
Can I apply after the application period? No. Runners must apply through the Tokyo Marathon Foundation’s platform during the designated application period.
I selected a different charity! How can I correct it? Unfortunately, the selected charity organization cannot be changed once your application is completed. Please be sure to specify “Room to Read Japan” as the recipient when applying.
Can I change the runner? No. The bib is strictly assigned to the person who applied and cannot be transferred.
Due to injury or a change of plans, I am unable to run on the day of the event. Can I transfer my entry to the following year? Unfortunately, no. You will need to apply again the following year and make a new donation for your bib.
Due to injury or a change of plans, I am unable to run on the day of the event. Can I request a refund for my donation? The Tokyo Marathon Foundation does not allow refunds once a donation has been made. Please read the Tokyo Marathon Foundation’s official website carefully for full details.
Benefits
Receive a special Room to Read T-shirt
Be surrounded by cheers and support along the course
Get access to a Facebook group for our Room to Read charity runner community
Be invited to gather with top runners during the pre-race Emperor’s Palace Run
Imperial Palace Run organized by Deloitte Running Team
Total 47 volunteers gathered and supported during the event
Runner Testimonials & Media Mentions
Stephany, 6 Major Marathon Finisher Interview
Stephany successfully completed the Tokyo Marathon 2025, achieving all six major marathons. We interviewed her at the charity lounge after the race. Watch her message!
今回は、子どもたちのための児童書に加え、世界中の少女たちの挑戦を描いた書籍『Girls Like Me』に収録された、ルーム・トゥ・リードの女子教育プログラム参加者のストーリーを日本語に翻訳するボランティア活動を行いました。一人ひとりの経験や想いを、子どもたちや日本の読者に伝わる言葉へと紡ぐ時間となりました。
Goldman Sachs Employees Volunteer to Help Bring Children’s Stories to Life in Japanese
On July 16, 2026, 23 Goldman Sachs employees gathered at the firm’s Tokyo office to participate in Community TeamWorks (CTW), the company’s signature employee volunteer program.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Community TeamWorks enables Goldman Sachs employees to give back to their local communities. Room to Read Japan was honored to be selected as a volunteer partner for the second consecutive year.
During the session, participants translated children’s books as well as stories from Girls Like Me—a collection featuring the inspiring journeys of girls who have participated in Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program—into Japanese. Together, they carefully chose words that would faithfully convey each girl’s experiences and aspirations to Japanese readers.
Sharing a Commitment to Education
The event opened with remarks from Hidehiro Imatsu, President and Representative Director of Goldman Sachs Japan and a Board Member of Room to Read Japan.
“As Community TeamWorks celebrates its 30th anniversary, I am delighted to see so many colleagues come together to volunteer. As a board member of Room to Read Japan, it is especially meaningful to participate alongside our employees in supporting children’s education.”
Kenro Tsutsumi, President and Representative Director of Goldman Sachs Asset Management Japan, also shared why he has continued to support Room to Read over the years.
“One of the main reasons I continue to support Room to Read is the organization’s transparency in how donations are used and its ability to clearly demonstrate the impact of that support.”
Choosing Words That Truly Connect
Throughout the translation session, participants carefully discussed how best to express each story in Japanese so that it would resonate with children and readers alike. Rather than relying on AI translation tools, they focused on creating thoughtful, human translations that preserved the spirit of the original stories.
Participant Reflections
“It was enjoyable to think carefully about the best Japanese expressions for translation.”
“Learning about girls who have grown up with Room to Read’s support helped me appreciate the long-term impact of sustained investment in education.”
“The session reminded me of the importance of children’s books and gave me a better understanding of the educational challenges children face around the world. It was a refreshing and rewarding experience.”
Participants also gathered to share the stories they had translated and discuss the choices they made during the process.
By the end of the session, participants had completed translations of children’s books and stories from countries including Tanzania, India, and Bangladesh. These translated materials will help introduce Room to Read’s work to supporters, schools, and corporate partners in Japan while highlighting the importance of giving children the opportunity to read in their mother tongue.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone at Goldman Sachs for their continued partnership, generous support, and enthusiastic volunteer spirit. Together, your words will help inspire a love of reading and learning among children around the world.
