Two of the fastest marathon courses on earth, two very different races. Here's every stat, side by side, to help you pick.
Indicative — based on GPX data. Both courses normalised to start at 0m.
✓ marks the better number on that stat.
Tokyo and Hong Kong are both point-to-point Asian marathons, but Tokyo's Majors status, deeper elite fields and net-downhill course (250m net drop) put it well ahead on pure speed — its 2:02:16 course record is nearly seven minutes faster than Hong Kong's 2:09:20.
Hong Kong's course is considerably hillier (254m of gain) and its January date makes it a useful season-opener well ahead of Tokyo's early March slot. If the fastest course and Majors prestige are the priority, Tokyo is the clear pick; if you want an early-year target on a tougher, more technical course, Hong Kong is worth considering.