Fukuoka Marathon

The Fukuoka Marathon was founded in 1985, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 41 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Fukuoka, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The course record of 02:07:36, set by Masashi Shimizu in 2019, speaks to what the Fukuoka Marathon offers elite athletes: a fast, honest course where serious times are achievable. The record has drawn increasingly competitive fields year after year.

Runners come to the Fukuoka Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Fukuoka has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.

For thousands of runners each year, the Fukuoka Marathon is their first marathon. The combination of a forgiving course, generous time limits, and supportive crowds has earned this race a reputation as the place where marathon journeys begin. The first-timer energy on race morning is palpable.