2026 Marathon

The Yamagata Marugoto Marathon, a sports festival that symbolizes autumn in Yamagata, will return with further evolution. The date of the 13th tournament has been decided on October 4, 2026.

The biggest topic of this tournament is that the current Japanese record holder Kei Osako, who set a dramatic Japanese record of 2 hours 4 minutes 55 seconds in the Valencia Marathon last year, has become a creative ambassador.

This role is not just a public relations activity. Osako, who has run through major races around the world, injects his experience into the Yamagata course. We will creatively design running proposals that allow runners to enjoy the joy of running to the fullest, branding of the entire tournament, and the atmosphere that everyone feels in the city of Yamagata.

And he plans to run through this stage designed by Osako as a runner himself. Two years ago, he was enthusiastic about Yamagata as a guest runner, and now as a Japanese record holder, he stands on the same starting line as everyone else and runs while feeling the same wind. This opportunity to experience Japan's fastest heartbeat up close will be a memorable experience for runners.

In addition, it has been decided to participate in the five Hakone Ekiden seed universities in Komazawa, Kokugakuin, Waseda, Chuo, and Teikyo, which stand at the top of the student relay race. World-class top athletes and future star candidates express their respective runs on the stage of Yamagata.

The beautiful scenery of Yamagata, the warm cheers along the road, and the food unique to this land. All of these charms are combined with creativity.