Ed Odeven 
Duo racing partners Max Fink (left) and Michael Sayih are seen at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon on March 2. (Courtesy of Max Fink)
Read the full story on SportsLook - [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] For 2 Pals, Finishing the Tokyo Marathon Fulfills a Special Goal
People can accomplish great things ― anything, really ― by working together. American buddies Michael Sayih and Max Fink, both of whom reside in Florida, demonstrated this with their completion of the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, March 2.
On that day, Sayih and Fink finished their sixth world marathon major, with Sayih riding in a customized racing wheelchair and Fink running and pushing him along the 42.195-km race through the streets of Tokyo.
They were among the four duo racing teams at the Tokyo Marathon. Sayih, 32, and Fink, 33, have been on a quest for the past several years to complete all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Mission accomplished. The two friends reached the finish line in 4 hours, 19 minutes, 59 seconds.
"This is a dream come true for us," Fink said, according to a news release. "Our first race was Chicago in 2021, and to be one of the first duos to complete the six is a milestone moment for the differently-abled community. We're just so excited to break barriers for the differently-abled and show that anything is possible."
Since they completed the Chicago Marathon four years ago, Sayih and Fink participated in four other world marathon majors ― in New York and Boston, London and Berlin ― before preparing to compete in the Tokyo Marathon.
Along with the Florida duo, fellow Americans Ross Ormond and Andrew McAllister also received special six-star medals for completing the six global marathons. The Sydney Marathon will be added to the list of marathon majors in September 2025, and Sayih and Fink both said they want to compete in the Australian race in the future.
On Competing in the Tokyo Marathon
Speaking by telephone from South Florida, Fink told this reporter about his friendship with Sayih, who has cerebral palsy, and about their active lives. He recalled the unique experience of competing in Tokyo and elucidated in greater detail about the satisfaction of teaming up with Sayih in other competitions, including 5-km races and triathlons.
"For me, it was euphoric, it was a long time coming," Fink said during the interview, referring to the Tokyo Marathon. "As a journey, we started in October of 2021 in Chicago, which was our first major marathon. So, basically, a four-year journey and a lot of hard work went into it. And at the end of the day, it's never been about achievements or medals or world records."
So what did Fink hope the duo racing teams demonstrated?
"It's basically been about proving to the differently-abled community that things like this are possible," Fink stated in the exclusive interview. "And we wanted to prove that barriers exist only to be broken, that inclusion isn't a privilege but a right and that the differently-abled community belongs at the starting line, the finish line and every step in between."
Insights on Tokyo Marathon Participant Sayih
Asked to paint a picture in words of his competition partner, Fink described in vivid detail Sayih's enthusiasm for life and the positive energy he brings to practices and races.
"His energy is always incredible," Fink told me. "I think the coolest thing about him is, like, he's always going with the flow and he's always down for whatever. If I say, 'Hey, man, let's do this, let's do that,' it's always, 'Yeah, yeah.'
"And I think people have a misconception that because he lives his life in a chair 24/7 that these events are no different for him and that they are the same, but they are very grueling on the body to be in the chair and to be moving at that pace and to go in the bumps."
Fink then provided a good example to illustrate this point.
In 2021, when Sayih and his partner competed in the Ironman Cozumel (triathlon) in Mexico, the weather created less-than-ideal conditions.
"We had a torrential downpour," recalled Fink, whose friend was a groomsman at his wedding. "And you have to remember that his chair is attached to the back of my bike and so the tire is just basically spitting water right in his face for four hours. So we actually had to put a paintball mask on his face and I would look back to be checking if he was OK and he just kept giving me the thumbs-up each time.
"That's so emblematic of who he is and how he approaches not only the races and the training but life."
Staying Busy, Staying Positive
Indeed, with the full support of Jim Sayih, Michael's father, and his family, the 32-year-old has had an active life. He works as a greeter at home games for two professional sports teams in South Florida, the NHL's Florida Panthers and the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Sayih attended the Panthers' championship parade in 2024 and received a championship ring, too.
Jim Sayih founded Special Compass, a Florida-based nonprofit organization, to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to be involved in athletic events.
Returning the conversation to the Tokyo Marathon, Fink described the interplay between him and Sayih at various points during the race.
An occasional pointed question from Sayih indicated something very specific to Fink. "When Michael asked if I'm doing OK, I know that it means that we've slowed down," Fink revealed.
They checked up on each other at occasional points during the race, Fink mentioned, noting that Sayih gave him random high-fives.
Making their competitive pursuits more meaningful, Sayih and Fink also add their own unique spin on road courses.
"When we get close to the crowds in really exciting areas of the race, I'll run the chair towards the side so he can high-five people," said Fink, who has dedicated his sporting achievements to the memory of his late mother, who died of breast cancer in 2017.
What's next on the competitive horizon for Sayih and Fink?
It's up in the air right now, according to Fink, who said they "want to make the next challenge even bigger." Two possibilities: the Ironman World Championship (in Kona, Hawaii) and The Great World Race ― seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.
Sayih Reflects on Completing the Tokyo Marathon
Before Michael Sayih answered a few questions, his father, who also attended the Tokyo Marathon, observed how his son enjoys the atmosphere of big sporting events.
"Michael loves to interact with the spectators or the public," Jim Sayih said. "He really likes it, [and] he feels like a rock star," the proud father added with a laugh.
Having now participated in all six world marathon majors, Sayih was asked for his general thoughts on the Tokyo Marathon.
He said, "It was a great experience, it was different."
How was it different from the other marathons?
"The volunteers were very helpful," Sayih said, pointing out he received assistance from two guides with concierge-like support for the course.
Why was it important to complete the six major marathons? Sayih was asked.
His answer: "One of the reasons why it's so important for me is really personally for me to break barriers and to show others who are like me that these things are possible. Friendships can be developed, and as friendships are developed, you can do things together that are above average, and it will help motivate people and inspire people to do big things, not just average things."
There were logistical challenges along the way in completing the London Marathon and the Berlin Marathon, according to Sayih, due to accessibility for disabled people. "But we were able to make it work anyway," he said, "and still shine a light on duo teams working together and doing athletic events together."
Sayih Describes Partnership with Fink
During our wide-ranging discussion, I asked Sayih to give examples of his conversations with Fink throughout their 4-plus hours of competition at the Tokyo Marathon.
Upbeat and energetic, Sayih summed it up this way, noting they were getting closer to the finish line: "Let's go, let's get that sixth star!"
He then said, "When you start to see the signs that show you are getting closer to 40 kilometers, you start getting more and more excited."
I also inquired about their friendship, which began in 2019. "Very close" [friends] was Sayih's succinct description.
Continue reading the full story, which also includes news items on soccer, golf, volleyball and more, on SportsLook.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
