Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon

The Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon is one of the world’s premier road racing events and is widely regarded as Japan’s fastest and most prestigious half marathon. Held annually in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, the race attracts an exceptional field of elite international athletes alongside thousands of recreational runners. As one of the few half marathons in Japan to hold a World Athletics Elite Label, the event has earned a global reputation for producing outstanding performances, national records, and personal bests thanks to its flat, fast, and meticulously measured course.

The race begins and finishes at Shikokukasei MEGLIO Stadium (Kagawa Prefectural Marugame Stadium) and follows a certified World Athletics and Japan Association of Athletics Federations course through the streets of Marugame. Cool early February temperatures, minimal elevation change, and enthusiastic local support combine to create ideal racing conditions. Over the decades, the event has become a benchmark race for professional athletes targeting international championships while remaining welcoming to competitive club runners and ambitious first-time half marathoners.