Fuji Marathon Festa

The Fuji Marathon Festa in FUJI SPEEDWAY is one of Japan’s more unusual running events, giving participants the rare opportunity to race on the internationally renowned Fuji Speedway motor-racing circuit. The event takes place in Oyama, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, near the base of Mount Fuji. Rather than following conventional city streets, runners take on laps and specially designed sections of the Fuji Speedway racing course, the same motorsport venue known for major international racing and which also formed part of the road-cycling venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The setting makes the Fuji Marathon Festa particularly distinctive. Runners experience the wide racing surface, sweeping bends and long straights of a purpose-built circuit while surrounded by the mountainous landscape of Shizuoka. The venue also provides amenities uncommon at many road races, including extensive parking, permanent indoor washrooms, changing facilities and heated indoor rest areas. The organizers traditionally complement the racing with food and activity booths, local entertainment and complimentary tonjiru (Japanese pork-and-vegetable soup), giving the event a festival-like atmosphere for runners and accompanying family members.