The PSS Imperial Palace Health Running race is a small, low-cost running event held at Sakuradamon Gate within Tokyo’s Imperial Palace grounds. It features 5 km, 10 km, 20 km, and 20 km relay distances. Individual entry costs 1,000 yen, and the relay is 4,000 yen. Races begin and end near the clock tower, employing manual timing with a stopwatch and printer. The event welcomes both novice and seasoned runners, functioning as both a competition and a practice session, with the morning's activities concluding by 11:00 AM.
The course consists of laps around the Imperial Palace, allowing participants to use it for controlled workouts, fitness assessments, or marathon training focused on lap times. The organizer describes it as "the most relaxed race in Japan," permitting late arrivals, same-day entries, event modifications on the day, and early finishes with recorded distances. This flexible entry contrasts with strict lap cutoffs: 2 hours for 5 km and 10 km, and 2 hours 40 minutes for 20 km and the relay. Participation awards include a sports drink, an izakaya meal voucher, and a magnetic chip. Past participants commend the affordability, pre-race assistance, and the event's utility for long-distance training.