Fukaya City Half Marathon

The Fukaya City Half Marathon is a well-established road race held each winter in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, roughly 70–80 km northwest of central Tokyo. Fukaya is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Eiichi Shibusawa, one of the leading figures in the development of modern Japanese industry and the person depicted on Japan’s current ¥10,000 banknote. The race makes that local connection part of its identity, promoting the event as an opportunity to run through Shibusawa’s hometown and the surrounding landscapes of northern Saitama.

The event is centered on Sengenyama Park and the Fukaya Big Turtle sports complex. The half marathon begins near the intersection in front of Fukaya Big Turtle and finishes on the athletics track at Fukaya City Sengenyama Park Athletics Stadium. Rather than using an out-and-back configuration, the half follows a largely flat, single-loop course through Fukaya. The relatively limited elevation change and absence of a turnaround make it an attractive event for runners interested in maintaining a steady rhythm or pursuing a fast winter half-marathon time. Both the half marathon and 10 km are Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) certified courses.