Saitama Marathon 2027 – Japan

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

What to expect

Saitama Marathon is one of the best marathon festivals in eastern Japan where everyone can enjoy sports and participate, organized by Saitama City and Saitama Sports Commission. The departure and arrival point is around GMO Arena Saitama, one of the largest multi-purpose arenas in Japan, also known as Saitama Super Arena, located at 8 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama, Japan.

The Saitama Marathon course offers excellent accessibility, starting and ending in front of GMO Arena Saitama, just a 3-minute walk from Saitama Shintoshin Station, right in front of iconic Saitama Super Arena. This course offers unbeatable access and ease for runners and spectators alike, with experience of thrilling route officially certified by Japan Association of Athletics Federations, winding past famous spots like Saitama Stadium 2002 and Urawa Komaba Stadium.

Expect flat and fast course just north of Tokyo, with 14,000 runners field size, BQ-eligible and AIMS certified, blending urban landscapes with natural beauty. Runners pass iconic landmarks like Saitama Super Arena and Urawa Soccer Stadium, adding excitement, plus stretches along serene Arakawa River where participants enjoy refreshing riverside breeze and picturesque views, providing well-rounded and memorable marathon experience.

Saitama City, gateway to eastern Japan where many people come and go, hosts marathon returning for first time in four years in recent edition, aiming to create event where beginners and advanced marathon runners, children and adults, even those who want to exercise but don’t have opportunity, with families and friends, can enjoy sports.

The marathon includes community arena at Saitama Super Arena offering booths where visitors can experience various sports and enjoy food, admission free, inviting families and friends whether runner or cheerleader.

Match/event dates

Event Date: February 14, 2027

Event Name: Saitama Marathon 2027

Main Venue: Saitama Super Arena, also known as GMO Arena Saitama, 8 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama, Japan

Official Website: https://saitama-marathon.jp/

Contact: Administration Office of Saitama Marathon, TEL +81 48-762-8349, FAX 048-762-8474, MAIL saitama-cityrun@saitamasc.jp, Official Race Website https://saitama-marathon.jp/en/

Category: Marathon, 42.195KM, AIMS certified, flat and fast, just north of Tokyo, BQ-eligible

Field Size: 14,000 people for marathon, plus additional categories such as 8km, Enjoy Run 1.3km with 500 people, Pear run pair events

Entry Qualification: 18 years of age or older on day of event excluding high school students, able to complete race within 6 hours of starting gun

Time Limit: Total of 6 hours with cutoff points

Check-in Location: Saitama Shintoshin Station Ticket Gate area

Transportation Facility: 3 minutes walk from Saitama Shintoshin Station

Registration: Entry accepted on official website https://saitama-marathon.jp/

We Will Announce: Whether event will take place or not at 5am on day of event on official website and official social media accounts

Exact opening ceremony, start time, and packet pick-up schedule announced via official website closer to event.

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

Stadium & sports venue

Main Venue: Saitama Super Arena, also called GMO Arena Saitama, 8 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, one of largest multi-purpose arenas in Japan. Start address and finish address both at Saitama Arena, 8 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama, Japan.

Start Line: Saitama Super Arena front area, with excellent accessibility 3 minutes walk from Saitama Shintoshin Station.

Finish Line: Saitama Super Arena same as start, allowing convenient logistics for runners and spectators.

Course Highlights: Scenic and diverse course through vibrant city of Saitama, blending urban landscapes with natural beauty. Course begins in heart of city where runners greeted by modern architecture and bustling energy of downtown Saitama, then winds past Saitama Stadium 2002 and Urawa Komaba Stadium, both famous soccer stadiums home to Urawa Reds.

Arakawa River Section: Stretches along serene Arakawa River offering refreshing riverside breeze and picturesque views, flat section ideal for personal best.

Certification: Official course certified by Japan Association of Athletics Federations, AIMS certified, BQ-eligible for Boston Qualification, flat profile just north of Tokyo.

Community Arena: Community Arena at Saitama Super Arena offers booths where visitors experience various sports and enjoy food, admission free, open to families.

Clinics Venues: Associated sports clinics held at Saiden Chemical Arena Saitama Saitama City Memorial Gymnasium Main Arena 4-3-1 Dojo Sakura-ku Saitama City, Urawa West Gymnasium 1676-1 Shimo-Okubo Sakura-ku Saitama, Urawa Komaba Stadium Main Stadium 2-1-1 Komaba Urawa-ku, and Yono Gymnasium 5-8-10 Shimo-Ochiai Chuo-ku Saitama City.

Saitama Stadium 2002: Famous 2002 World Cup stadium included in course and also hosts separate Pear run pair event.

Full fixture or event schedule

Race Weekend Schedule Based on Previous Editions:

Pre-Race Clinics and Free Runs: In months before race, sports clinics for beginners and advanced runners held at various gyms, including clinic for beginners at Urawa West Gymnasium, free run at Urawa Komaba Stadium, tie-up project with Raffine Running Style 20km run at Imperial Palace, yoga and pilates programs at Yono Gymnasium, with entrance fees ranging free to 1,000 yen including tax, plus facility use fee 1,000 yen.

Friday Before Race – Packet Pick-up and Expo: Packet pick-up at Saitama Super Arena community arena, with sports experience booths and food booths, admission free, family friendly.

Saturday – Final Clinics and Registration: Final beginner support clinics, with eligibility for those who entered beginner support quota, free included in entry fee, with lecturers such as Yuto Takano former elementary teacher citizen athlete runner who reduced record from 4:24:42 to 2:22:44.

Race Day Morning:

Check-in: Check-in at Saitama Shintoshin Station ticket gate area, with only runners with bib allowed to enter venue until 8:50.

Opening Ceremony: Opening ceremony 8:50 AM tentative inside Saitama Super Arena community area.

Start Time: Start time 09:00 for 42.195KM marathon.

Race Progression: Marathon with total 6 hours time limit with cutoff points, passing Saitama Stadium 2002 and Urawa Komaba Stadium and Arakawa River.

Finish and Award: Finish at Saitama Super Arena, award ceremony for top 3 men and women overall finishers who will be invited to participate in marathon plus 1st place men and women resident of Saitama City and Koshigaya City.

Post-Race: Community arena food and sports experience continues after finish, with free admission.

Teams, athletes & participants

Marathon Category: 14,000 people field size, entry qualification 18 years of age or older on day of event excluding high school students, able to complete race within 6 hours of starting gun.

Additional Categories:

Saitama Marathon in Saitama Stadium: Pear run pair such as parent and child, friends etc, 800 pairs 1,600 people, entry fee 3,300 yen per pair, plus other short distance events.

Enjoy Run: 1.3km with 500 people, entry fee 1,650 Yen.

Saitama 8km: 4,400 Yen based on some listings, popular for beginners.

Beginner Support Quota: Beginner support quota for those challenging full marathon for first time or aiming to complete, includes entry fee 22,000 yen marathon section including right to run, plus separate entry fee for clinics, with support clinics to help complete.

Participants: Beginners and advanced marathon runners, children and adults, even those who want to exercise but don’t have opportunity, with families and friends, creating festival where everyone can enjoy sports.

Elite Athletes: Top 3 men and women overall finishers invited to next edition, plus city resident champions.

International Runners: Open to international runners via Run Japan gateway and Runnet Global, with English website https://saitama-marathon.jp/, transportation facility 3 minutes walk from Saitama Shintoshin Station.

Community: Saitama City gateway to eastern Japan where many people come and go, large community support.

Tournament format & competition structure

Format: Road race on paved roads, other tags city, AIMS certified, 10000-24999 participants, wheelchair friendly, course highlights urban and riverside.

Competition Structure: Single marathon distance 42.195KM with net timing, chip timing, with cutoff points enforcing 6-hour total limit from starting gun.

Course Surface: Road, flat and fast, just north of Tokyo, with Arakawa River flat sections for speed and city sections for excitement.

Qualification: No qualifying time required beyond ability to complete within 6 hours, making accessible to wide range of runners, BQ-eligible for those seeking Boston qualification.

Beginner Support: Special beginner support bracket with clinics teaching running basics, posture building, arm swing, drills for running longer with ease, classroom exercises, interval training 1,000m x 8 with 200m jog, pace 4 min per km to 4.5 min per km, plus yoga refresh feet, pilates inner muscle strengthening.

Tie-up Projects: Raffine Running Style tie-up project Imperial Palace distance run 30km and clinic for beginners, with groups ranging 4:00 per km to 6:30 per km, 20km run 4 laps of Imperial Palace, discounts for Saitama Marathon entrants.

Award Structure: Top 3 overall men and women plus Saitama City and Koshigaya City resident awards.

Event Concept: One of best marathon festivals in eastern Japan where everyone can enjoy sports and participate.

Match/event times

Typical Race Day Timeline:

Early Morning: Check-in at Saitama Shintoshin Station ticket gate, venue access restricted to bib holders until 8:50.

8:50 AM: Opening ceremony tentative at Saitama Super Arena.

09:00 AM: Marathon 42.195KM start at Saitama Super Arena.

Cutoff Points: Total of 6 hours with cutoff points along course, for example first cutoff around 10km at 1 hour 30 minutes, middle cutoffs, final closure 6 hours after start gun.

Finish: Finish at Saitama Super Arena, with participant prize T-shirt.

Award Ceremony: Award ceremony after finish for top finishers.

Clinics Schedule Example: Clinic examples – Urawa West Gymnasium 9:30-11:30 and 12:30-14:30, entrance fee free included in entry fee for beginner support quota, Urawa Komaba Stadium free run 13:45-16:45 free, Imperial Palace 7:30-10:15.

Announcement of Event Status: Organizer will announce whether event will take place or not at 5am on day of event on official website and official social media accounts, important for weather contingency.

Ticket types

Saitama Marathon does not use traditional spectator tickets as roadside viewing free, but participation fees apply.

Participation Fees Converted to USD Based on Previous Editions:

Saitama Marathon 2025: Marathon entry fee 15,000 yen tax included, approximately $100, field size 14,000 people.

Saitama Marathon 2024: Same 15,000 yen, approximately $100, with priority given to Saitama and Koshigaya citizens from July 20, general from July 25.

Enjoy Run 1.3km: 1,650 JPY, approximately $11, 500 people.

Pear Run Pair: 3,300 yen per pair, approximately $22, 800 pairs 1,600 people, parent and child, friends etc.

Saitama 8km: 4,400 JPY, approximately $29, as per some listings.

Beginner Support Quota: 22,000 yen marathon section including right to run, approximately $147, plus separate entry fee for clinics.

Sports Clinics: Entrance fee 1,000 yen including tax, approximately $7, payment at venue on day of clinic, plus separate facility use fee 1,000 yen will be charged. Yoga program 500 yen, approximately $3. Raffine tie-up 1,000 yen for Saitama Marathon entrants, approximately $7, 1,500 yen for non-entrants, approximately $10. Imperial Palace distance run 2,000 yen but free for Saitama Marathon entrants only for some programs.

Additional Fees: Entry fee 220 yen tax included charged if total payment 4,000 yen or less, and 5.5% tax included if total payment 4,001 yen or more.

Reissue Fee: If forget bib number, reissue at Saitama marathon information costs 2,000 yen, approximately $13.

Spectator Access: Free admission to community arena booths where visitors experience various sports and enjoy food, open to families and friends.

Ticket release phases

Entry Period Based on Previous Editions: Entry start dates vary, for example for 2024 edition priority for Saitama and Koshigaya citizens July 20 Thursday, general July 25 Tuesday, for 2023 Saitama Stadium event August 29 Tuesday, with entry closed when sold out, marathon sold out on 17 July first come in recent tracking.

General Entry: Entry accepted on official website https://saitama-marathon.jp/, with first-come first-served until field size 14,000 reached.

Priority Entry: Priority given to Saitama City and Koshigaya City residents for some editions, plus discounts available for those who have registered for Saitama Marathon 2026 when registering for clinics.

Clinics Application Period: Clinic application periods for example August 21 17:00 to August 28 23:59, June 26 17:00 to July 9 23:59, with lottery if too many applicants, for example each part 25 persons if too many lottery, 100 first-come first-served for free runs.

Beginner Support Application: URL for application form included in email sent by tournament secretariat at 17:00 on September 18 to those who entered beginner support quota.

Packet Pick-up: Scheduled to be uploaded to official website on February 14 Friday for some documents, with advance mailings and invitations to participate.

Enjoiran Section Deadline: Entry deadline for Enjoiran section 3km and 1.2km is December 5 23:59 in recent edition.

VIP & hospitality options

Community Arena Hospitality: Community Arena at Saitama Super Arena offers booths where visitors experience various sports and enjoy food, admission free, family friendly hospitality.

Sponsor Hospitality: COROS as sponsor of event offers collaborative free rentals of COROS PACE Pro and COROS PACE 3 running watches with amazing battery performance and lightweight, available during free runs and clinics, with limited numbers.

Elite Athlete Invitation: Top 3 men and women overall finishers in marathon category invited to participate in next marathon, plus 1st place men and women resident of Saitama City and Koshigaya City, providing VIP recognition.

Beginner Support Hospitality: Beginner support clinic participants receive dedicated support, running basics instruction, classroom exercises, plus long-term rental program for COROS watches, with lecturers who are elite citizen runners such as Takano Haruna with best 2:38:33 Tokyo Marathon 2025 Japanese 6th, and Endo Chisa elite mama runner with best 2:43:08.

Corporate Hospitality: GMO Arena Saitama and Saitama Super Arena offer premium seating and hospitality boxes for sponsors and invited guests, though general spectator viewing is free.

Sports Clinic Hospitality: Clinics include briefing, stretch, interval training, reflection and communication, with yoga and pilates programs tied up with Yono Gymnasium, focusing on pelvic area, hip joints, posture, breathing, mind, lymphatic care.

Stadium & event rules

Entry Rules: Only runners with bib will be allowed to enter venue until 8:50, if forget bib number required to reissue at Saitama marathon information with reissue fee 2,000 yen.

Qualification Rules: 18 years of age or older on day of event excluding high school students, able to complete race within 6 hours of starting gun.

Course Rules: Must follow course via Saitama Stadium 2002, Urawa Komaba Stadium, Arakawa River, follow police and volunteer instructions, no littering, no outside assistance beyond designated stations.

Facility Use: Separate facility use fee 1,000 yen charged for clinics, payment at venue.

Health and Safety: Marathon is grueling sport, participants should be in good health, organizer will announce whether event will take place or not at 5am on day of event on official website and official social media accounts in case of inclement weather such as typhoon, snowfall warnings, public transportation disruptions.

Refund Policy: No refunds in case of cancellation due to natural disasters, as noted in clinic notes, photos taken during event may be posted on website.

Family Participation: Children in grades 1-6 and parents can apply for Saitama Marathon as long as one of child and parent or guardian has already applied for one of Saitama Marathon events.

Sportsmanship: Follow lecturers instructions during clinics, adjust distance if needed based on condition and running ability, for example 1,000m to 600m or 8 to 6 repetitions.

How to get there

Address: Saitama Super Arena, also known as GMO Arena Saitama, 8 Shintoshin, Chuo Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Nearest Station: Saitama Shintoshin Station, 3 minutes walk from venue, as per official information. Saitama Shintoshin Station is on JR Keihin Tohoku Line, JR Utsunomiya Line, JR Takasaki Line, served from Tokyo, Ueno, Omiya.

From Tokyo: From Tokyo Station, take JR Ueno Tokyo Line to Saitama Shintoshin Station direct, approximately 30 minutes, or JR Keihin Tohoku Line from Kita Toda station from 7:30.

From Omiya: Omiya is major hub, 5 minutes train to Saitama Shintoshin.

From Airport: From Haneda Airport, take Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho then JR Keihin Tohoku Line to Saitama Shintoshin, total about 90 minutes. From Narita Airport, take Narita Express to Tokyo then Ueno Tokyo Line to Saitama Shintoshin, total about 120 minutes.

Clinics Access: Urawa West Gymnasium 1676-1 Shimo-Okubo Sakura-ku, Urawa Komaba Stadium 2-1-1 Komaba Urawa-ku, Saiden Chemical Arena Saitama 4-3-1 Dojo Sakura-ku, Yono Gymnasium 5-8-10 Shimo-Ochiai Chuo-ku, all accessible via local buses and JR lines from Saitama Shintoshin.

Start and Finish Access: Start and finish in front of iconic Saitama Super Arena, unbeatable access and ease for runners and spectators.

Public transport & parking

Public Transport Strongly Recommended: Saitama Super Arena has limited parking, and on race day traffic restrictions around arena and course make public transport most reliable.

Train: Saitama Shintoshin Station is main hub with frequent trains on race day, including special early services from Kita Toda station from 7:30 for participants.

Bus: Local buses serve Saitama Super Arena, Saitama Stadium 2002, Urawa Komaba Stadium, but may be diverted on race day due to course closures along Arakawa River and city streets.

Parking: No official event parking at Saitama Super Arena due to race operations, nearby coin parking lots fill quickly and expensive $15 to $30 per day, avoid driving.

Taxi: Taxis from Omiya or Urawa cost $15 to $25, but expect heavy traffic after finish.

Accessibility Transport: Saitama Shintoshin Station fully accessible with elevators, Saitama Super Arena fully barrier-free with elevators, accessible restrooms, wheelchair spaces.

Bicycle: Bicycle parking available near arena but limited, no bicycles allowed inside venue until after 8:50 bib restriction.

Shuttle Buses: No official shuttle mentioned, but short walk from station eliminates need.

Accommodation areas

Best Areas to Stay:

Saitama Shintoshin and Omiya Area: Closest area with business hotels such as Hotel Metropolitan Saitama Shintoshin, Palace Hotel Omiya, APA Hotel Saitama Shintoshin ranging $70 to $150 per night. Walking distance to venue, ideal for early morning.

Urawa and Saitama City Center: Area near Urawa Komaba Stadium with hotels like Urawa Washington Hotel, Toyoko Inn Urawa ranging $60 to $120 per night, 10 minutes train to Saitama Shintoshin.

Saitama Stadium 2002 Area: Hotels near Saitama Stadium 2002 for those wanting to explore course, limited but business hotels available $60 to $100.

Tokyo Area: For those combining with Tokyo sightseeing, hotels near Tokyo Station or Ueno offer 30 minutes train to Saitama Shintoshin, ranging $80 to $200 per night, but early morning travel required due to 8:50 bib entry restriction.

Budget Options: Toyoko Inn, Super Hotel, APA Hotel chains near Saitama Shintoshin, Omiya, Urawa offer $45 to $75 per night.

Book at least one month in advance as Saitama Marathon attracts 14,000 marathon runners plus families and coincides with winter marathon season in Japan.

Food & drink at the venue

Inside Saitama Super Arena: Community Arena at Saitama Super Arena offers booths where visitors experience various sports and enjoy food, admission free, with bento boxes, hot drinks, snacks, vending machines.

Arakawa River and City Course: Along course, official water and sports drink stations every few kilometers, plus community support with local volunteers.

Clinics Refreshments: Clinics note parking available and beverages provided by management, water provided by organizers but limited, prepare own water supply.

Saitama Specialties: Saitama City offers famous dishes such as unagi, ramen, and Saitama-produced vegetables for post-race celebration, with many restaurants near Saitama Shintoshin Station.

Raffine Running Style Tie-up: Raffine Running Style Otemachi One Store in Tokyo offers reception location for Imperial Palace runs, with changing facilities.

Post-Race: Athlete refreshment area with recovery drinks and participant prize T-shirt.

Accessibility

Venue Accessibility: Saitama Super Arena fully barrier-free with elevators, accessible restrooms, wheelchair spaces, companion seats.

Course Viewing Accessibility: Most roadside viewing points along Arakawa River and city streets accessible via flat sidewalks, though some riverside sections may be challenging.

Accessible Participation: Wheelchair friendly tag for Saitama Marathon, with wheelchair participants welcome if can complete within 6 hours.

Clinics Accessibility: Urawa West Gymnasium, Urawa Komaba Stadium, Saiden Chemical Arena, Yono Gymnasium all have accessible facilities, but check with secretariat for specific needs.

Contact for Accessibility: Contact Saitama Marathon Secretariat via TEL 048-762-8236 weekdays 9:00-17:45, FAX 048-762-8474, or email saitama-cityrun@saitamasc.jp.

Family Friendly: Children grades 1-6 and parents can participate in related events, community arena free admission for families.

Best matches/events to attend

Saitama Marathon Main Race 42.195KM: Best event to feel marathon festival where everyone can enjoy sports, starting and finishing in front of iconic Saitama Super Arena with excellent accessibility 3 minutes walk from station, flat and fast course blending urban and natural beauty.

Community Arena Experience: Best for families and friends, booths where visitors experience various sports and enjoy food, admission free, at Saitama Super Arena on race day, with sports experience for children and adults.

Arakawa River Section: Most scenic viewing along serene Arakawa River where participants enjoy refreshing riverside breeze and picturesque views, flat section where runners aim for personal best.

Saitama Stadium 2002 Passing: Exciting point where runners pass iconic Saitama Stadium 2002, home of Urawa Reds, adding touch of excitement, great photo opportunity.

Beginner Support Clinics: Ideal for first-time marathoners, clinics for beginners at Urawa West Gymnasium with running basics, posture building, arm swing, plus yoga and pilates programs at Yono Gymnasium focusing on pelvic area, hip joints, posture, breathing.

Previous year’s highlights

2025 Edition Highlights: Saitama Marathon 2025 held March 16 Sunday Saitama Super Arena, field size 14,000, entry fee 15,000 yen, entry qualification 18 years or older excluding high school students able to complete within 6 hours, with top 3 men and women overall finishers invited to participate in marathon as well as 1st place men and women resident of Saitama City and Koshigaya City, entries accepted on official website.

Course Popularity: Flat and fast just north of Tokyo, marathon sold out on 17 July first come in recent tracking, showing strong demand for BQ-eligible course.

Festival Atmosphere: One of best marathon festivals in eastern Japan where everyone can enjoy sports and participate, with community arena at Saitama Super Arena offering booths for sports experience and food, admission free, inviting families and friends.

Clinic Program: Extensive clinic program including beginner support clinic, free run at Urawa Komaba Stadium 100 first-come first-served free, tie-up project with Raffine Running Style 20km run at Imperial Palace with 9 groups ranging 4:00 per km to 6:30 per km, yoga refresh feet and pilates inner muscle strengthening at Yono Gymnasium, with lecturers including Yuto Takano citizen athlete runner 4:24:42 to 2:22:44 and Haruna Takano 2:38:33 Tokyo Marathon 2025 Japanese 6th.

Saitama Stadium Events: Saitama Marathon in Saitama Stadium supported by Meiwa Estate pear run pair events 800 pairs 1,600 people, showing diversity of events beyond main marathon.

Return After Hiatus: Saitama Marathon returned for first time in four years in recent edition, starting and ending at Saitama Super Arena, largest multi-purpose arena in Japan, in Saitama City gateway to eastern Japan.

Official tickets

Official Website: https://saitama-marathon.jp/ and English site https://saitama-marathon.jp/en/

Entry Portal: Entry accepted on official website https://saitama-marathon.jp/, Run Japan https://runjapan.jp/, Runnet Global, Luma https://saitama-marathon.jp/entry/

Contact: Saitama Marathon administrative office Saitama Sports Commission, TEL 048-762-8236 weekdays 9:00-17:45, TEL +81 48-762-8349, FAX 048-762-8474, MAIL saitama-cityrun@saitamasc.jp, E-mail Address saitama-cityrun@saitamasc.jp, Official Race Website https://saitama-marathon.jp/en/

Venue: Saitama Super Arena 8 Shintoshin Chuo Ward Saitama, 3 minutes walk from Saitama Shintoshin Station, Saitama Shintoshin Station ticket gate check-in location

Capacity: 14,000 people marathon, 800 pairs pear run, 500 people Enjoy Run 1.3km

Entry Fee: Marathon 15,000 yen approximately $100 tax included, Enjoy Run 1,650 JPY approximately $11, Pear run 3,300 yen per pair approximately $22, Saitama 8km 4,400 JPY approximately $29, beginner support quota 22,000 yen approximately $147, reissue fee 2,000 yen approximately $13

Additional Fees: Entry fee 220 yen if total payment 4,000 yen or less, 5.5% if total payment 4,001 yen or more

Free Community: Community Arena admission free, sports clinics free to 1,000 yen including tax

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