Photo: © 神戸マラソン▶Kobe Marathon
Kobe, JapanAt a glance
Kobe Marathon 2026 takes place on 15 November 2026 in Kobe, Japan. Distances: 42.195 km. Start at 09:00 from Davanti al municipio di Kobe.
- Date
- Sunday, 15 November 2026
- Location
- Kobe, Japan
- Start
- Davanti al municipio di Kobe
- Finish
- Kobe Harborland (Kobe Gaslight Street)
- Distances
- Marathon · 42.195 km · Competitive
- Start times
- 09:00
- Entry fees
- JP¥18,000
- Registration
- Registration open · Register now ↗
- Official website
- kobe-marathon.net ↗
- Series
- World Athletics Label · Boston qualifier · World Marathon Majors qualifier
Last updated: 19 October 2026
The race
The Kobe Marathon takes place on Sunday 15 November 2026 between Kobe and Akashi, along the Seto Inland Sea. Wave starts begin at 9:00 in front of Kobe City Hall, the turnaround is near Okura Beach in Akashi and the finish is at Kobe Harborland.
The course is certified by the Japanese federation, World Athletics and AIMS and is very flat: there are only 10 metres between its highest and lowest points, which is why the organisers recommend it both to runners chasing a time and to first-timers.
The marathon has 20,000 places and a 7-hour time limit; the fee is JPY 18,000 and a lottery is held if applications exceed capacity. A relay run takes place on the same day.
Videos
Course
The race starts in front of Kobe City Hall and heads west along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea to Okura Beach in Akashi: the turnaround is here, with close-up views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island.
Runners return towards Kobe along the same seafront on a flat course (just 10 metres of height difference) and finish at Kobe Harborland, next to Meriken Park, the city's most photogenic area.
Entry fees
What's included
- Chip timing
Rules and requirements
Date and times
- Sunday 15 November 2026
- first wave at 9:00, second at 9:15
- time limit 7 hours
Places and fee
- marathon: 20,000 places
- fee JPY 18,000; for JPY 1,000 extra you can have a personalised charity bib
- individual or group entry for 2-3 people (not both); a lottery is held if applications exceed places
Start
Start blocks are allocated on the basis of the time declared at entry, which the organisers may check.
