Tokyo has set its sights on becoming the sixth World Marathon Major and rounding out the yearly scheduled of major annual marathons alongside Berlin, Boston, Chicago, New York and London. The move will bring many Asian participants into the principally western competition and the change, set to take place in February, is looked forward to with great excitement and pride.

 The marathons in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, New York and London have welcomed Tokyo into their club.

On Friday, the races’ directors, who will be meeting in New York ahead of the New York City Marathon, will announce that Tokyo will become the sixth World Marathon Major. The decision, which was months in the works, affirmed what the running community has long known: Tokyo’s marathon has become one of the world’s largest and most lucrative races.

For years, the Tokyo Marathon was an elite-only race. But in 2007 it became a mass marathon and was an immediate success. About 300,000 people now apply for a spot, but only 36,000 start the race. About 10 percent of the field is from overseas. The entry fee is 10,000 yen, or about $120.

Read More on nytimes.com