• Otsuka Pharmaceutical will serve as an official sponsor of Tokyo Marathon 2017, supporting Asia's largest city marathon for the 11th consecutive year. Otsuka will provide POCARI SWEAT, Amino-Value and Calorie Mate, proven products based on scientific evidence that support runners with fluid replenishment and nutritional assistance from the starting area to the finish line.
• A cordon of supporters dressed in POCARI SWEAT Blue will form a distinctive BLUE ROAD, cheering runners along the length of the marathon course.
• Information to help runners compete in best condition and complete the full distance provided via dedicated Otsuka Support for Runners website and participation in Tokyo Marathon EXPO.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo, Japan; President: Tatsuo Higuchi) has been named an Official Partner^*1 of Tokyo Marathon 2107, scheduled to be run on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Launched in 2007, the Tokyo Marathon, Asia's largest city marathon, will be run for the 11th time this year. In keeping with the recent surge in popularity of running, Tokyo Marathon 2017 attracted the highest number of applicants in the history of the event, with a record opening-to-application ratio of 12.2 marking it as a major international competition^*2.
The 2017 event will feature a new course with a finishing point at Gyoko-dori fronting Tokyo Station. The new course was devised to enable record-breaking times while showcasing the best of Tokyo for runners from Japan and abroad.

Appropriate rehydration and nutritional support is vital to enable runners to safely complete the 42.195-kilometer course, helping them to overcome dehydration, depletion of energy and muscle fatigue. In addition to supplying Nutraceuticals^*3 products, including Official Beverage POCARI SWEAT, Amino-Value and Calorie Mate, Otsuka operates a dedicated Support for Runners website^*4, emphasizing the importance of proper conditioning before, during, and after athletic pursuits and providing comprehensive support for runners to perform at their best and safely complete the full distance.
This year again, Otsuka Group employees and supporters recruited via the Support for Runners website^*4 will line the course, wearing special POCARI SWEAT Blue items to form a distinctive BLUE ROAD, cheering the runners and adding to the festive atmosphere of the event.

About Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2017

Dates

Thursday, Feb. 23 - Saturday, Feb. 25

Venue

Tokyo Big Sight

Organized with the theme of "Running Life Style," Tokyo Marathon EXPO is Japan's largest running trade show, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors annually, including the 36,000 runners from Japan and around the world who come to register and receive their number cards. Exhibitors showcase the latest running gear, apparel and services and visitors are welcome to participate in demonstrations at various booths.
As an Official Partner, Otsuka Pharmaceutical will operate a booth providing products and information to support runners. Attractions and information of interest to runners will include a lottery to win entry rights in races participating in the RUN as ONE^*5 program.
Tokyo Marathon EXPO 2017 official website：http://www.marathon.tokyo/en/events/expo/

1. 1 Official Partners are divided into Major Partner, Main Partner, Active Partner, and Supporting Partner categories; Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a Major Partner. Tokyo Marathon Foundation official website:http://www.marathon.tokyo/en/about/official-partner/
2. 2Tokyo Marathon Foundation official website:http://www.marathon.tokyo/media/press-release/pdf/160901_jp.pdf (in Japanese)
3. 3Nutraceuticals: Nutrition + Pharmaceuticals
4. 4Support for Runners website (operated by Otsuka Pharmaceutical):http://www.otsuka.co.jp/run/ (in Japanese)
5. 5Run as ONE - Tokyo Marathon Program: Launched in 2015, the program seeks to contribute to the surge in marathon interest by linking up with marathon races held throughout Japan. The program helps runners experience racing at the world's top level, while aiming to boost Japan's competitive capabilities and further expand the number of marathon fans.http://www.marathon.tokyo/en/runner/run-as-one/

Based on our corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka - people creating new products for better health worldwide', Otsuka Pharmaceutical is dedicated to the development of innovative products that contribute to the health of people around the world.