AI-Powered Running Event Information Platform "RunConcierge" Makes Its First Japanese Debut at the Tohoku Food Marathon
Neurun, Inc., an ASICS strategic partner, is launching its AI running platform "RunConcierge" at the Tohoku Food Marathon 2026. This first full Japanese rollout includes event checklists, 3D course previews, and AI chatbots.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 16:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 19:50 (147h 15m after Collected)
RunConcierge, a running event information platform developed by Neurun, Inc. (Headquarters: Boston, USA; CEO: Cade Netscher), which has formed a strategic partnership with ASICS, will be introduced at the 'Tohoku Food Marathon 2026' to be held on April 19. This time marks the first full-scale implementation in Japanese as RunConcierge, becoming an important milestone in its full-scale expansion into the Japanese race scene.
The 'Tohoku Food Marathon' is an event that started in 2014 with the mission of 'connecting Tohoku and the world through marathons'. ASICS has continuously sponsored it as a main sponsor since the first event, making this the 12th time. By holding a festival where you can enjoy Tohoku's food and sake, centered around the 'Tohoku Food Marathon' where you run while enjoying Tohoku's 'Fudo' (nature, scenery, people) and 'Food' (cuisine, Japanese sake), it has contributed to increasing the exchange population and promoting industry in Tohoku, which is recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Upon introducing it to the Tohoku Food Marathon, which has 'food and Japanese sake' as a major feature of the tournament, RunConcierge will implement its new function, the 'Event Checklist', for the first time in Japan. The event checklist function was developed to collectively propose everything from gear and supplementary food necessary for runners to various services such as hotels and restaurants at the tournament. In the implementation at the Tohoku Food Marathon, in addition to being able to check a list of food and sake information provided at aid stations on the course and the festival venue, it will also support online purchases through RunConcierge.
〇 About RunConcierge
In recent years, the use of AI in major races around the world has also been accelerating. Gathering attention among them is RunConcierge, which utilizes Google's latest AI technology. In marathon races, the current situation is that runners collect a wide variety of information, such as course information, weather conditions, transportation, accommodation, and surrounding information, from multiple media. In addition, providing information in multiple languages, including inbound support, is a major issue for organizers and host cities. RunConcierge was developed as an 'AI running partner' to solve the issues of both parties.
'RunConcierge' collaborates with various companies dealing with training, recovery, nutrition, local news, etc., including the latest technologies from Google Maps and Google Cloud, to provide content customized based on the user's personal preferences and needs. Runners can interact with AI through a chat function and can comprehensively obtain the exact information they are looking for more easily than ever before.
Through a partnership with Google, RunConcierge utilizes generative AI technology to provide the following services:
● Immersive 3D previews of the race course and surrounding environment utilizing the latest technology of Google Maps
● Highly accurate real-time weather information by AI
● Smart search for landmarks, key points, water stations, etc.
● Event checklist function
● Personalized proposals for viewing spots, transportation, and sightseeing
This platform integrates decades of race data into a multilingual interface, and is provided directly built into the official race website and participant dashboard, rather than as a standalone app. By centralizing information that was previously scattered in various places, it becomes possible for chatbots to provide accurate information.
〇 Tohoku Food Marathon x ASICS Booth
At the ASICS booth at the venue where the Tohoku Food Marathon is held, two programs are also being held simultaneously. Please drop by. (Participation fee: Free)
・ Run For Reforestation Challenge
We will hold the 'Run For Reforestation Challenge' campaign where one tree is planted for every 5km completed by recording running/walking with the ASICS Runkeeper app during the period. The participation fee is free, and the holding period is from Wednesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 30.
https://runkeeper.com/ja/
・ GREEN BAG PROJECT
We will collect sports wear that is no longer needed.
The 'Tohoku Food Marathon' is an event that started in 2014 with the mission of 'connecting Tohoku and the world through marathons'. ASICS has continuously sponsored it as a main sponsor since the first event, making this the 12th time. By holding a festival where you can enjoy Tohoku's food and sake, centered around the 'Tohoku Food Marathon' where you run while enjoying Tohoku's 'Fudo' (nature, scenery, people) and 'Food' (cuisine, Japanese sake), it has contributed to increasing the exchange population and promoting industry in Tohoku, which is recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Upon introducing it to the Tohoku Food Marathon, which has 'food and Japanese sake' as a major feature of the tournament, RunConcierge will implement its new function, the 'Event Checklist', for the first time in Japan. The event checklist function was developed to collectively propose everything from gear and supplementary food necessary for runners to various services such as hotels and restaurants at the tournament. In the implementation at the Tohoku Food Marathon, in addition to being able to check a list of food and sake information provided at aid stations on the course and the festival venue, it will also support online purchases through RunConcierge.
〇 About RunConcierge
In recent years, the use of AI in major races around the world has also been accelerating. Gathering attention among them is RunConcierge, which utilizes Google's latest AI technology. In marathon races, the current situation is that runners collect a wide variety of information, such as course information, weather conditions, transportation, accommodation, and surrounding information, from multiple media. In addition, providing information in multiple languages, including inbound support, is a major issue for organizers and host cities. RunConcierge was developed as an 'AI running partner' to solve the issues of both parties.
'RunConcierge' collaborates with various companies dealing with training, recovery, nutrition, local news, etc., including the latest technologies from Google Maps and Google Cloud, to provide content customized based on the user's personal preferences and needs. Runners can interact with AI through a chat function and can comprehensively obtain the exact information they are looking for more easily than ever before.
Through a partnership with Google, RunConcierge utilizes generative AI technology to provide the following services:
● Immersive 3D previews of the race course and surrounding environment utilizing the latest technology of Google Maps
● Highly accurate real-time weather information by AI
● Smart search for landmarks, key points, water stations, etc.
● Event checklist function
● Personalized proposals for viewing spots, transportation, and sightseeing
This platform integrates decades of race data into a multilingual interface, and is provided directly built into the official race website and participant dashboard, rather than as a standalone app. By centralizing information that was previously scattered in various places, it becomes possible for chatbots to provide accurate information.
〇 Tohoku Food Marathon x ASICS Booth
At the ASICS booth at the venue where the Tohoku Food Marathon is held, two programs are also being held simultaneously. Please drop by. (Participation fee: Free)
・ Run For Reforestation Challenge
We will hold the 'Run For Reforestation Challenge' campaign where one tree is planted for every 5km completed by recording running/walking with the ASICS Runkeeper app during the period. The participation fee is free, and the holding period is from Wednesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 30.
https://runkeeper.com/ja/
・ GREEN BAG PROJECT
We will collect sports wear that is no longer needed.