The Early Years
2007Established in 2007, the Osaka Marathon is now 19 years old. From its first edition in Osaka, it has evolved into a race that reflects the character of its host region in Japan.
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Course & Elevation
The Osaka Marathon features a scenic course through the heart of Japan's vibrant Kansai region, starting and finishing at Kyocera Dome Osaka. Runners navigate through historic neighborhoods, modern urban areas, and along the Okawa River, showcasing Osaka's blend of tradition and contemporary culture. The relatively flat course with minimal elevation change makes it ideal for fast times.
Surface: road Profile: Flat
Weather
Temperature 8°C
Humidity 55%
Rain Chance 25%
Early February in Osaka brings cool, generally dry weather with occasional rain. Clear skies are common, providing good visibility of the urban landscape and surrounding areas.
The Race
Osaka
Race Lore
The Fast Lane
Runners come to the Osaka Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Osaka 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.
The Lottery
Getting into the Osaka Marathon is a race before the race. The entry lottery draws far more applicants than available spots, and the notification email — accepted or rejected — has become an annual ritual that defines the running calendars of thousands.
The Crowd Energy
With 28,000 finishers and spectators lining the course deep, the Osaka Marathon generates an atmosphere that carries runners through the hard miles. The crowd support in Osaka is not polite applause — it's visceral, personal, and often the difference between hitting the wall and breaking through it.
Famous Runners
YK
Yuki Kawauchi
Citizen runner
2:09:21 2018
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Registration
Registration Opens June
Registration Closes August
Entry Cost ¥10,000-¥12,000
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Fun Facts
- ▸ The Osaka Marathon starts and finishes at Kyocera Dome Osaka, home of the Orix Buffaloes baseball team, creating a unique stadium atmosphere for start and finish.
- ▸ With over 30,000 participants, the race is Japan's largest general-admission marathon and attracts runners from around 145 countries.
- ▸ The course is relatively flat and fast, making it one of Japan's best opportunities for personal records with the iconic Okawa River serving as a scenic landmark.
- ▸ The lottery system is highly competitive, with application rates of 10:1 or higher due to the premium race experience and coveted position in Japan's marathon circuit.
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