Kanagawa Marathon

The Kanagawa Marathon is one of Japan’s longest-running and most respected road races, offering runners the opportunity to compete on a fast, certified course in the heart of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Held annually in early February, the event has built a reputation as an ideal race for athletes targeting personal bests, season-opening performances, or qualification standards. Combining competitive racing with decades of history, the Kanagawa Marathon attracts elite runners, club athletes, university teams, recreational runners, and first-time participants from across Japan.

The race takes place in the historic Isogo Ward of Yokohama, beginning and finishing near the Nisshin OilliO Yokohama Isogo Plant. Participants run on a Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) certified course that follows wide, relatively flat roads well suited to fast racing. The event features a Half Marathon and 10 km race, with the half marathon divided into elite and general categories. Elite athletes compete in the morning, followed by the general field, allowing both high-performance racing and an enjoyable experience for recreational runners. With cool winter temperatures and a flat profile, the Kanagawa Marathon has become a popular choice for runners chasing new personal records before Japan’s busy spring marathon season.