Maebashi is home to the Gunma Marathon, one of Japanβs largest regional running festivals and a well-established autumn race in the Kanto region. Held every year on November 3rd (Japanβs Culture Day holiday), the event attracts thousands of runners from across Japan and overseas. The race features a certified full marathon, a certified 10 km race, and a shorter Riverside Jogging event, making it accessible to both competitive runners and recreational participants.
The marathon starts and finishes at Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma within Shikishima Park. The course showcases many of Gunma Prefectureβs highlights, taking runners through the streets of Maebashi while offering views of the surrounding mountains that have made Gunma famous among outdoor enthusiasts. The route is known for being relatively runner-friendly while still providing enough rolling terrain to keep things interesting. Both the full marathon and 10 km course are officially certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF).
What makes the Gunma Marathon particularly appealing is its atmosphere. Unlike the massive World Marathon Majors, the race maintains a distinctly local Japanese feel. Community support is strong throughout the course, volunteers are plentiful, and runners experience the hospitality that Japanese regional races are known for. The event has grown into one of the signature sporting events of Gunma Prefecture and regularly draws more than 15,000 participants across all race categories.
