Tokushima Marathon

The ⁠Tokushima Marathon is a major spring road marathon held in Tokushima Prefecture on the Japanese island of Shikoku. The race is best known for its long stretches alongside the Yoshino River, giving runners expansive river views and a relatively open, scenic course while showcasing Tokushima and the surrounding communities. The event is a full 42.195 km marathon and traditionally attracts thousands of runners. Its course is certified by World Athletics (WA), the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF).

The Tokushima Marathon typically starts in front of the Tokushima Prefectural Government offices near Kachidoki Bridge in central Tokushima. From there, runners headed toward the Yoshino River, crossed the Yoshino River Bridge and followed extensive sections of the river’s northern and southern banks before eventually returning toward central Tokushima and finishing at Work Staff Athletics Stadium, also known as Tokushima City Athletics Stadium. The race had a generous seven-hour time limit, making it accessible to a broad range of recreational marathoners as well as faster competitive runners. For 2026, organizers also eliminated the wave-start system and used a single 9:00 AM start.