The Okinawa Marathon (ใใใชใใใฉใฝใณ) is one of Japan's most distinctive destination marathons, combining distance running with the unique culture, hospitality, and subtropical scenery of Okinawa. Held annually in Okinawa City in the central part of Okinawa's main island, the race has been a fixture of Japan's running calendar since 1993, attracting thousands of participants from across Japan and overseas. Unlike many city marathons that focus solely on speed, the Okinawa Marathon is celebrated for its festive atmosphere, enthusiastic local support, and route through numerous communities where residents line the streets to cheer runners and often offer traditional Okinawan snacks and refreshments. The event provides a memorable opportunity to experience Okinawa's distinct culture while tackling one of Japan's most popular winter marathons.
The event features a full marathon (42.195 km) and a 10 km road race, both starting and finishing at Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park. The marathon course follows a challenging loop through the cities of Okinawa, Uruma, Kadena, Chatan, and Kitanakagusuku, including a rare opportunity to run through Kadena Air Base, one of the largest United States Air Force installations in the Pacific. This unique section of the course, normally closed to the public, has become one of the marathon's defining highlights. Although the route includes several rolling hills, particularly during the second half of the marathon, runners are rewarded with exceptional crowd support, live entertainment, and a vibrant festival atmosphere that makes the race about far more than finishing time.