Shimada Marathon

The Shimada Marathon is officially known as the Shimada Ōi River Marathon in Liberty (しまだ大井川マラソンinリバティ), a fall race that turns the wide riverside paths along the Ōi River into a big local festival for runners. It’s the kind of event that feels very “community Japan” in the best way: a well supported course, lots of local energy, and a setting that’s scenic and open, with the river and Shizuoka’s relaxed pace as the backdrop. The race is held in and around Shimada City’s athletics area on the Ōi River riverbed and surrounding routes, which gives it that spacious, runner friendly feel rather than a cramped city center scramble.