Why Run for Room to Read?

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.
• Apply from the Application for Room to Read Japan and apply in JPY for the pledged amount.
• Changes, late applications, or runner transfers are not allowed.
• For full eligibility and process details, please Refer to Official Website “RUN with HEART” Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity Page and eligibilities.💳 Donation Details
  Minimum: JPY 375,000 (≒ US$2,500) or more.
  *In addition to the donation, $230 will be charged as a registration fee 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
  

  ---

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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

1. Receive a special Room to Read T-shirt
2. Be surrounded by cheers and support along the course
3. Get access to a Facebook group for our Room to Read charity runner community
4. 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!

---

Featured Media and Articles of the past races:

・Web Radio: Marathon Training Academy (Interview starts from 27min point)
・Tokyo Marathon 2025: 164 Charity Runners from 21 Countries Run to Support the Education of 10,000 Children!
・Tokyo Marathon 2024: 150 charity runners from 25 countries run for Room to Read!
・Comments from charity runners in 2023

General Inquiry:

Room to Read Japan:📤jp.marathon@roomtoread.org

Tokyo Marathon Foundation Official (Regularly updated)
・Official Website “RUN with HEART” Tokyo Marathon 2026 Charity Page
・Eligibility for participants as a Charity runner

2026年7月16日、ゴールドマン・サックス東京オフィスにて、社員ボランティアプログラム「Community TeamWorks（CTW）」が開催され、23名の社員の皆さまにご参加いただきました。

今年で30周年を迎えるCommunity TeamWorks（CTW）は、ゴールドマン・サックスの社員が地域社会に貢献するためのボランティアプログラムです。ルーム・トゥ・リード・ジャパンは、昨年に続き2年連続で活動先として選ばれました。

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。

教育への想いを共有

イベントの冒頭では、ゴールドマン・サックス証券株式会社 代表取締役社長の居松様より、「CTW30周年という節目に、多くの社員が集まり活動できることを嬉しく思います。また、ルーム・トゥ・リード・ジャパンの理事として、子どもたちの教育を支える活動に社員の皆さんと参加できることを大変意義深く感じています」とご挨拶をいただきました。

また、ゴールドマン・サックス・アセット・マネジメント株式会社 代表取締役社長の堤健郎様からは、「支援を続けていますが、寄付金の使途が明確で、その成果がしっかりと見えることが、継続して協力したいと思う大きな理由です」と、長年にわたるご支援への思いをお話しいただきました。

「伝わる言葉」を考える翻訳ボランティア

翻訳セッションでは、参加者の皆さまが「子どもたちにとって分かりやすい表現は何だろう」と真剣に議論しながら、一つひとつの言葉を丁寧に選んでくださいました。AI翻訳には頼らず、自分たちの言葉で表現することを大切にし、子どもたちに届く翻訳を目指しました。

参加者の声

• 翻訳に適した日本語表現を使う部分で頭を使えて参加する側としても楽しかったです！
• 支援をうけ成人した子の活躍をご紹介いただけたのがよかったです。持続的な支援であることが実感できました。
• 絵本の大切さを再認識でき、海外での実情などを学べました。いつもと違う頭を使って気持ちよい時間でした。

今回の活動では、タンザニアやインド、バングラデシュ等、世界各国の児童書や物語の翻訳が完成しました。これらの資料は、支援者の皆様や学校・企業との連携において、子どもたちが母語で本に親しみ、読書の楽しさを知るための大切な一歩となります。

ご参加いただいたゴールドマン・サックスの皆さま、温かいご支援と素晴らしいボランティア活動をありがとうございました。

---

📤お問い合わせ │ Inquiry：
認定NPO法人ルーム・トゥ・リード・ジャパン

Web：https://japan.roomtoread.org/
e-mail： japan@roomtoread.org
ご寄付はこちらからお寄せください。

ルーム・トゥ・リード・ジャパンは認定NPO法人です。ご寄付は税額控除の対象になります。個人・企業によるご支援やボランティア参加のご希望など、お気軽にお問い合わせください。

---

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.