Okayama Marathon 2027 – Japan

• November 14, 2027
  Event date:
• November 14, 2027
  Event end:

What to expect

Setouchi’s City and Nature Marathon: Okayama Marathon is a major citizen marathon in the Chugoku region that celebrates Okayama’s nickname as the Land of Sunshine. The course is designed to showcase changing scenery, including Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens, the city rich in water and greenery, riverside embankments, and rural landscapes toward the south. It is organized by Okayama Marathon Executive Committee, JAAF Okayama, Okayama Prefecture and Okayama City, and supported by prefectural and city boards of education.

Point to Loop Course with City Highlights: The race starts and finishes within Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds, which makes logistics simple. From the start in front of Shigeto Arena Okayama, also known as Zip Arena Okayama, runners head into central Okayama, passing Momotaro Odori Street, Nishikawa Canal Park, Okayama City Hall area, and Okayama Saiseikai General Hospital area before heading south toward Kojima Bay and returning. The course is certified by JAAF and is known for being flat to gently rolling, with wide roads and excellent crowd support.

Two Distances for All Levels: The main event is the full marathon of 42.195 km with a capacity of 15,000 runners, including an overseas quota of 250. The Fun Run of 5.6 km with a capacity of 1,400 runners shares the start and finish venues but parts ways early, making it ideal for beginners, families and supporters who want to experience marathon day without the full distance.

Warm Hospitality and Peach Theme: Okayama is famous for Momotaro legend and white peaches, and the marathon reflects this with peach-themed balloons, bouquets and volunteer support. Special ambassador Yuko Arimori, Olympic women’s marathon medalist and native of Okayama, has supported the event since its launch. The event also serves as a qualifying race for Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours and Travel Age Group World Rankings for runners aged 40 and above.

Large-Scale Citizen Participation: With 15,000 marathon runners plus fun run participants, it is the largest marathon in Okayama Prefecture. The event emphasizes coexistence with the local community, with extensive traffic control, aid stations and cheer zones organized by local schools, universities and volunteer groups.

Match/event dates

Event Dates:

• Okayama Marathon 2027 Full Marathon: November 14, 2027
• Okayama Marathon 2027 Fun Run 5.6 km: November 14, 2027
• Registration and Participation Prize Collection: Day before race, 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM at Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds. No entries on race day.
• Gun Start: 8:45 AM for both Marathon and Fun Run

All calendar date information is contained only in this section.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Stadium & sports venue

Venue Complex: Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds is the central hub for all activities. This large sports park contains both start and finish facilities within walking distance.

Start Location: Starting in front of the gymnasium Shigeto Arena Okayama of Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds, also known as Zip Arena Okayama. The start area includes block designation zones, baggage storage tents divided by gender, and first-aid stations. The start line is on a wide road in front of the arena, allowing smooth wave release.

Finish Location: Finishing at the athletic field JFE Harenokuni Stadium of Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds, formerly known as City Light Stadium. This is a full athletics stadium with track and grandstand, providing a stadium finish experience. The finish area includes medal and towel distribution, medical tents and baggage reclaim. Fun Run also finishes inside the same stadium but via a shorter route.

Course Certification: Both courses are certified by JAAF. Marathon distance is 42.195 km point-to-loop returning to same grounds, Fun Run 5.6 km. The venue also hosts registration, expo and information for runners.

Full fixture or event schedule

Registration Day:

• 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM: Registration and claiming participation prizes at Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds. Each participant must identify with original ID such as My Number Card or driver’s license. Registration by proxy only accepted for unavoidable circumstances with power of attorney, copy of participant’s valid ID and proxy’s original ID. Those with escort runners must show Physical Disability Certificate and register together with escort.
• T-shirt distribution, JAAF official record certificate request desk with 500 yen fee for registered runner category, and final race information.

Race Day:

• 8:45 AM: Marathon and Fun Run gun start from in front of Zip Arena Okayama. It may take about 15 minutes for last runner to pass start line after signal.
• 9:32 AM: First gateway closure for Fun Run at 3.8 km point.
• 9:45 AM: Fun Run gateway closure at 5.2 km point and overall Fun Run course close around 10:00 AM scheduled end.
• Gateway Closures for Marathon: 1st gateway at 4.6 km, 2nd at 8.7 km, 3rd at 13.2 km, 4th at 18.6 km, 5th at 25.4 km, 6th at 28.5 km, 7th at 31.5 km, 8th at 33.8 km, 9th at 36.7 km, 10th at 39.3 km, 11th at 41.8 km with 6-hour limit, and final finish around 15:00 scheduled end.

Post-Finish: Finisher medal and towel for marathon finishers, finisher towel for fun run finishers, baggage collection, shuttle bus to JR Okayama Station, and award ceremony for general category top 8 men and women.

Teams, athletes & participants

Capacity: Marathon 15,000 runners including 250 overseas quota, Fun Run 1,400 runners. Total field makes it one of the largest events in Chugoku region.

Categories: Marathon has two categories, registered runner category for JAAF registered athletes for current year, and general category. Fun Run has general category only. Participation is not allowed in both marathon and fun run simultaneously, and not allowed while in a wheelchair for competitive divisions.

Eligibility: Marathon eligibility is those born before 2008 who can complete within time limit. Fun Run eligibility is those born before 2014 who can complete within time limit. If participants with a disability with Physical Disability Certificate or Intellectual Disability Certificate have difficulty running alone, they may participate alongside one escort runner. Guide dogs not allowed as escorts in marathon, sub-escort swap midway allowed with prior contact to organizer office.

International Participation: Overseas quota of 250 for marathon, entry via official English website. Overseas runners receive English information and support. The event attracts runners from across Japan and abroad who want to experience Okayama’s city and rural scenery.

Athlete Levels: Field includes elite runners in general and registered categories, age group competitors from under 24 to over 70 in 5-year bands, charity runners, and first-time marathoners attracted by 6-hour limit.

Tournament format & competition structure

Two Event Format: Full marathon 42.195 km and Fun Run 5.6 km run concurrently from same start area but with different courses after parting point. Fun Run course shares same course as marathon immediately after start but diverges early.

Timing and Measurement: Time recording for marathon conducted automatically using timer chips. Time limit measured based on signal gun, not net time. For fun run, there is no time recording or award ceremony as it is held to enjoy running and is completely different from competitive running.

Block Designation: For safe and smooth operations at starting point, marathon starting blocks designated according to participants’ best time reported at entry. Whether registered at JAAF or entry as pair does not impact block. All fun run participants start from last block.

Gateway System: In accordance with traffic, security and competition management, gateways installed on courses with closing times. Once gateway closed, runners cannot continue. Runners who have not reached gateway by closing time must discontinue immediately, leave course and board accommodation bus following behind runners or gateway bus at gateway following instructions. Even if gateway not yet closed, if management decides runner is significantly late and will disrupt event, runner will be directed to discontinue.

Cooperation with Other Competitions: Based on RUN as ONE Tokyo Marathon program, some finishers granted right to run in Tokyo Marathon following year. Also qualifying competition for AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Rankings.

Match/event times

Gun Start Time: 8:45 AM for both marathon and fun run.

Time Limits: Marathon 6 hours at 41.8 km point, with final finish scheduled end around 15:00, allowing 6 hours 15 minutes total. Fun Run 1 hour at 5.2 km point, with finish scheduled end around 10:00, allowing 1 hour 15 minutes total.

Gateway Closing Times: Marathon first gateway at 4.6 km closes at 9:38 with 53 minutes limit, second at 8.7 km at 10:11, third at 13.2 km at 10:48, fourth at 18.6 km at 11:33, fifth at 25.4 km at 12:28, sixth at 28.5 km at 12:54, seventh at 31.5 km at 13:18, eighth at 33.8 km at 13:37, ninth at 36.7 km at 14:01, tenth at 39.3 km at 14:23, eleventh at 41.8 km at 14:45. Fun Run first gateway at 3.8 km at 9:32 with 47 minutes limit, second at 5.2 km at 9:45 with 1 hour limit.

Runner Stop Rule: In event emergency vehicles need to go through courses to deal with accidents, fire, transport of sick or alarm of National Instant Warning System J-Alert goes off in area including Okayama City, participants should stop race temporarily following staff direction.

Ticket types

Marathon Entry Fee: $93.33 USD. Based on official 14,000 yen tax included. Includes participation award originally produced competition T-shirt, finisher medal and finisher towel for finishers, timing chip, baggage storage, aid stations and shuttle bus to JR Okayama Station. Categories include registered runner category and general category.

Fun Run Entry Fee: $26.67 USD. Based on official 4,000 yen. Includes participation T-shirt and finisher towel for finishers, baggage storage and shuttle. No time recording, no award ceremony, focused on enjoyment.

JAAF Official Record Certificate: $3.33 USD optional fee for registered runner category who want official record certificate sent by mail later, application required at reception desk.

Historical Reference: In 2018, entry fees were 10,000 yen for marathon and 3,000 yen for fun run, showing increase to current 14,000 and 4,000 yen due to operational costs and enhanced services.

Included Services: All participants receive T-shirt as participation award at registration day, not on race day. Size must be specified at entry, if not entered size will be M, and no size change accepted after entry due to operational reasons. T-shirt sizes based on Mizuno Corporation standards from XS to 2XL with back length 63 to 77 cm, chest circumference 90 to 118 cm.

Ticket release phases

General Entry Phase: Entry typically opens in late spring to early summer via official website www.okayamamarathon.jp. Lottery system used when entries exceed capacity of 15,000 marathon and 1,400 fun run. First-come first-served not guaranteed due to high demand.

Overseas Quota Phase: Overseas quota of 250 for marathon handled via English website. Entry from same period as domestic but with dedicated allocation. Secure spot by visiting official English site early.

Charity and Partner Entries: Some entries granted via partner programs, corporate sponsors and charity, though not large-scale charity runner system like Osaka.

Registration and Prize Collection Phase: Day before race 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM at Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds. No entries taken on race day. Each participant needs to identify with ID. T-shirts given on registration day.

Tokyo Marathon Qualification Phase: After race, some finishers granted right to run in Tokyo Marathon following year based on RUN as ONE program. Currently planned each year, notification sent to eligible finishers.

VIP & hospitality options

No Paid VIP Grandstand: Okayama Marathon does not sell separate VIP hospitality tickets. Hospitality is community-based.

T-Shirt and Finisher Prizes: All participants receive originally produced competition T-shirt as participation award. Marathon finishers receive finisher medal and finisher towel as souvenirs, fun run finishers receive finisher towel.

Baggage and Shuttle Hospitality: Participants’ luggage kept at starting and finishing areas. Free shuttle bus from venue to JR Okayama Station on race day with peach balloon as marker. Look for peach balloon once start procedures begin.

Block Designation Hospitality: Starting blocks designated by best time ensures smoother experience for faster runners and reduces congestion, functioning as performance hospitality.

Award Ceremony Hospitality: Award ceremony held based on gross time. Marathon general category top 8 men and women acknowledged on stage. Age group top 3 men and women in 5-year bands from under 24 to over 70 acknowledged via certificates sent by mail later, no ceremony for age groups.

Sponsor Services: Services from competition sponsors and cooperating organizations offered within scope of operation, including refreshments and tourism information.

Stadium & event rules

Competition Rules: 2026 JAAF Rules of Athletics and rules of this competition applied. Thickness of soles of shoes used by JAAF registered athletes must be no greater than 40 mm. For male athletes who complete within 2:21:00 and female within 2:56:00, shoes may be measured on race day.

Costume Rules: Participants in registered runner category not permitted to run in costume. Participants not in registered category forbidden from running in clothes not suitable for sporting event, or which could make others feel offended or expose them to danger, as well as holding or carrying sword-like objects or long large rod-like objects longer than 30 cm, or competing wearing anything that could hurt others by contact. Participation with face fully covered with headgear or paint forbidden. Organizer may decline participation at discretion on race day.

Advertising Rules: Designs including or symbolizing company or product names or other trademarked material may not be worn or displayed at competition venue for purpose of advertising including on course.

Personal Refreshments: No registration of participants’ personal refreshments. Aid stations only.

Baggage Rules: Participants’ luggage kept at starting and finishing areas. Valuables, fragile items and dangerous items not allowed in baggage tents. Baggage area divided by gender and number range.

Personal Information Handling: Organizer complies with privacy policy, uses information for raffles, participation guides, record notifications, related information, future events, sponsor services and record announcements. Call center may contact regarding application details. Information provided to related businesses including Tokyo Marathon program and insurance company when necessary, and to medical institution when transported.

Physical Condition: Organizer will not be responsible for any sickness or other accidents other than providing first aid. Participants should train thoroughly, those with history of heart disease including myocardial infarction, angina, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia or who experienced chest pain or light-headedness during exercise should undergo health check before participating.

How to get there

By Train: JR Okayama Station is main hub. From Tokyo, take Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen Nozomi or Sakura to Okayama, about 3 hours 20 minutes. From Osaka, about 50 minutes by Shinkansen. From Hiroshima, about 40 minutes. From station, take bus to Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds, Zip Arena Okayama Sports Center Mae stop, or taxi about 15 minutes.

By Air: Okayama Airport also known as Okayama Momotaro Airport, with flights from Tokyo Haneda, Sapporo and Okinawa. Airport limousine bus to Okayama Station about 30 minutes, then bus to venue.

By Car: From Sanyo Expressway Okayama IC, about 20 minutes to venue. However, there are no parking spaces at event site, so taking public transportation is recommended. Organizer not responsible for participant tardiness due to delay of public transportation or road conditions. Surrounding roads in area of Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds expected to be heavily congested day before and day of event. Pickup and drop-off by private vehicles and parking on nearby roadside or shops around event site strictly prohibited.

For Overseas Runners: From Kansai International Airport, take JR Haruka to Shin-Osaka then Shinkansen to Okayama, about 2 hours total. From Tokyo airports, Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Okayama.

Public transport & parking

Public Transport Recommended: No parking spaces at event site, public transportation recommended. Free shuttle bus from venue to JR Okayama Station on race day, fee free, look for peach balloon boarding area.

Bus Access: From JR Okayama Station bus stop, take Okaden or Ryobi bus bound for Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds. Bus stop name is Zip Arena Okayama Sports Center Mae. Buses run frequently on race morning but expect crowding.

Parking Prohibition: There are no parking spaces at event site, pickup and drop-off by private vehicles and parking on nearby roadside or shops around event site strictly prohibited. Surrounding roads expected to be heavily congested day before and day of event.

Alternative Parking: Use paid parking at JR Okayama Station area and take bus to venue. City operated parking near Korakuen Garden not recommended due to event traffic control.

Bicycle: Bicycle parking available near venue but limited, and roads closed for marathon make access difficult.

After Race: Shuttle buses from venue to JR Okayama Station operate after finish until early evening, free for participants.

Accommodation areas

Okayama Station Area: Best for transport access. Hotels around JR Okayama Station include Hotel Granvia Okayama directly connected to station, Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Okayama Ekimae. Prices from $80.00 USD to $180.00 USD per night for business to premium. Walking distance to Momotaro Odori and Nishikawa Park.

Korakuen and Okayama Castle Area: Near marathon course, scenic area with boutique hotels and ryokans. Good for sightseeing before race. Hotels include Okayama Korakuen Hotel, prices $70.00 USD to $150.00 USD.

Multipurpose Grounds Area: Limited hotels near venue itself, but some business hotels within 2 km such as Okayama City Hotel and sports lodges. Convenient for early morning start, prices $60.00 USD to $100.00 USD.

Kurashiki Area: 15 minutes by train from Okayama Station, famous for Bikan Historical Quarter. Hotels include Kurashiki Ivy Square, prices $70.00 USD to $130.00 USD, good for extended stay.

Booking Tips: Accommodation books out months in advance for marathon weekend, especially near Okayama Station. Prices multiply for night before marathon. Book as soon as entry confirmed via official site or travel agencies like JTB, Rakuten Travel, Booking.com.

Food & drink at the venue

On Course: Aid stations provide sports drink, food, water at various points. First checkpoint at 4.6 km near Okayama City Hall area. Food includes local specialties such as Okayama white peach jelly, muscat grape snacks, and traditional sweets. Water and sports drink at every gateway.

At Venue: Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds hosts food stalls on registration day and race day with local specialties including Okayama’s famous white peach products, muscat, Bizen pottery themed sweets, and Okayama ramen. No alcohol inside athlete areas.

In City: Okayama known for white peaches, muscat grapes, Okayama Barazushi, and Kibi dango sweets from Momotaro legend. Restaurants around Okayama Station and Omotecho shopping street serve early morning breakfast sets for runners.

For International Runners: Convenience stores near venue for quick carbs, and many restaurants have English menus around station area.

Accessibility

Course Accessibility: Course is flat to gently rolling, wide roads, suitable for runners with escort. However, participation in both marathon and fun run while in wheelchair not allowed for competitive divisions. Escort runners allowed for participants with Physical Disability Certificate or Intellectual Disability Certificate who have difficulty running alone, one escort per participant, sub-escort swap allowed with prior contact.

Venue Accessibility: Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds has barrier-free toilets, accessible pathways and medical tents. Baggage tents divided by gender and number range with accessible access.

Transport Accessibility: JR Okayama Station has elevators and escalators, buses to venue have low-floor options. Shuttle buses from venue to station also accessible.

Language Accessibility: Official website has English version at okayamamarathon.jp/en, with competition guideline, information for runners and course map in English. Volunteer staff include English speakers for overseas quota.

Family Accessibility: Fun Run time limit 1 hour makes it accessible for families, with final control gate at 5.2 km. Course shares start with marathon for inclusive atmosphere.

Best matches/events to attend

Full Marathon: Main event, best for experiencing Okayama’s changing scenery from city center to rural landscapes, Korakuen Garden area, water and greenery, and finishing in JFE Harenokuni Stadium. Ideal for runners seeking flat course with 6-hour limit and AbbottWMM ranking points.

Fun Run 5.6 km: Best for beginners, families, high school students and supporters who want to enjoy marathon day without full distance. No time recording pressure, focuses on enjoyment, finishes in same stadium as marathon.

Registration Day Expo: Best for collecting T-shirt, checking course map, learning gateway closing times, and enjoying local food stalls and sponsor booths at Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds.

Award Ceremony: Best for witnessing top 8 general category men and women acknowledged on stage based on gross time, with age group certificates mailed later.

Tokyo Marathon Qualification Opportunity: Best for runners aiming for Tokyo Marathon entry via RUN as ONE program, where some finishers granted right to run Tokyo Marathon following year.

Previous year’s highlights

2026 Edition: Scheduled with 15,000 marathon runners and 1,400 fun run runners, starting in front of Shigeto Arena Okayama and finishing at JFE Harenokuni Stadium, certified by JAAF, time limits 6 hours and 1 hour. Gateway system with 11 gateways for marathon and 2 for fun run implemented for traffic management. Registration day before race at Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds.

2024 Edition: Featured same course layout with Momotaro Odori Street and Nishikawa area, with strong community support, peach balloons marking shuttle bus boarding areas, and finish boucher cake at final control gate for fun run participants.

Early Editions: First Okayama Marathon held on November 8 with 15,000 expected from outside prefecture, special ambassador Yuko Arimori appointed. Fun Run originally 4.5 km, later extended to 5.6 km to improve course flow. Event evolved from Lake Kojimako Flower Passageway Marathon to current Okayama Marathon.

Reputation: Known for flat course good for personal best, excellent organization despite large field, peach-themed hospitality, and cooperation with Tokyo Marathon for qualification rights. Enjoyed for city rich in water and greenery and rural landscapes.

Official tickets

Official Website: www.okayamamarathon.jp is only official source for entry, guideline, information for runners and course map. English version at /en. Contact via info@OkayamaMarathon.jp.

Entry Fees in USD: Marathon $93.33 USD based on 14,000 yen, Fun Run $26.67 USD based on 4,000 yen. Includes T-shirt, finisher medal and towel for marathon finishers, finisher towel for fun run, timing chip, baggage and shuttle. JAAF official record certificate optional $3.33 USD based on 500 yen.

Capacity: Marathon 15,000 runners including 250 overseas quota, Fun Run 1,400 runners. Lottery when entries exceed capacity.

Registration: Day before race 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM at Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds. No entries on race day. ID required. Proxy registration only for unavoidable circumstances with power of attorney.

Cooperation Programs: Granting right to run in Tokyo Marathon following year based on RUN as ONE program, and AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Rankings qualifying competition.

Warning: Avoid unofficial sellers. Use only official site. No parking at event site, public transport recommended, organizer not responsible for tardiness due to public transport delay or road conditions.

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