2027 Biwako Marathon - Mar 14 Countdown

-- DAYS

-- HRS

-- MIN

-- SEC

Want personality modes & weather integration? Try the full countdown experience

General entry closed · bib transfer View official registration →

See entry dates for other marathons →

Race Information

Race	2027 Biwako Marathon - Mar 14
City	Otsu
Date	2027-03-14 at 08:20
Field Size	~8,000 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Cutoff pace	8:32/km
Timezone	Asia/Tokyo
Official Site	Biwako Marathon Organizing Committee

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	6.3°C / 43°F
Humidity	80%
Peak Wind	23.6 km/h
Rain Chance	43%
Typical Conditions	Lakefront sections make wind direction relevant to pacing; historical climate is not a forecast for March 14.

What to Prepare: Check the Otsu and Kusatsu forecasts, and keep a dry layer for the finish-side bus wait.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

This is a historical median of daily maximum wind speeds, not a race-day forecast. Check the forecast wind direction and exposed sections before deciding your pace; this figure alone does not determine a time penalty.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

	Cooler	Typical	Warmer
Temperature	2.1°C	6.1°C	11.2°C
Dew point	-2°C	2.5°C	9°C

Wet-day chance: 43% Runnability: 66/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course Type	Point-to-point
Terrain	Paved roads
Profile	From Ojiyama Athletics Stadium in Otsu to Karasuma Peninsula in Kusatsu on a JAAF-certified road course. The finish is not back at the start.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Course Analysis

A six-hour limit is not the entry requirement

The organizer requires entrants to be capable of finishing within 5 hours 50 minutes. The six-hour race limit is measured from the gun, with five intermediate checkpoints.

At an 08:20 start, do not build your plan around six full hours of chip time. Read the official eligibility rules before committing to travel.

General entry has closed

General entry is marked closed; the advertised October 30 deadline is not evidence of remaining places. The base fee is JPY 15,000. Domestic RUNNET adds 6%, while the verified 2027 overseas channel adds 14%.

The organizer’s top navigation still links to the old overseas edition. Its entry-page body links to the 2027 Run Japan entry; confirm the year and live status there. As checked October 19, some alternative routes have conflicting open/closed text. A Yuzureru transfer listing is not a guaranteed bib.

The 2027 overseas Run Japan channel is now explicitly closed. The organizer still lists Yuzureru transfers through November 1, subject to a released place; this is the alternative route to check.

Otsukyo and Otsu are different stations

JR Otsukyo on the Kosei Line is listed as a six-minute walk from the start; Keihan Otsukyo is three minutes away. JR Otsu is a 35-minute walk. That distinction matters for the early start.

The road from Otsu-shiyakusho-mae does not provide entry to the venue, and there is no venue parking. Use the official access instructions to choose your station and approach.

Return from the finish, not the start

The finish at Karasuma Peninsula has free shuttle links to JR Kusatsu and Moriyama. The published journey estimates are about 30 and 25 minutes respectively, before queueing.

Allow time to change and wait for a bus when booking your onward train. Spectators should agree a finish-side meeting point instead of expecting you back at Ojiyama Stadium.

Prepare for 2027 Biwako Marathon - Mar 14

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

Free running pace calculator for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Get min/km or min/mile, your ...

Use Calculator →

Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

Free printable pace band for marathon, half marathon, or custom distance. Choose even, negative, or ...

Use Calculator →

Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

7 AM race, wake at 3:45 AM? Enter the gun time; we work backward through meal, gear, bathroom, warm-...

Use Calculator →

What to Wear Running by Temperature — Clothing Guide

Enter temperature, wind, and rain to get specific clothing picks for head, torso, legs, hands, and f...

Use Calculator →

Dew Point Running Calculator — Pace Adjustment Chart

Enter temperature and humidity to calculate dew point and its impact on your running pace. 7-zone ch...

Use Calculator →

Wind Effect on Running — How Much Does Wind Slow You?

How much does a headwind actually slow you down? This free calculator turns wind speed and direction...

Use Calculator →

View all running tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the race date and start time?

March 14, 2027, at 08:20 Japan time. The full-marathon capacity is 8,000, separate from the pair relay.

Can I enter with a six-hour target?

The published entry requirement is the ability to finish within 5h50. Six hours is the gun-time limit, so it should not be substituted for the eligibility rule.

Is general registration still open?

No, the organizer marks general registration closed. Check the official entry page and its linked systems for any alternative route; do not assume a transfer place or overseas bib is available.

Is there a mandatory pre-race expo?

Domestic entry uses mailed bibs with no pre-race reception. Overseas entry is different: collection is provisionally scheduled for March 13, 2027, 13:00–18:00 at Biwako Hotel, 2-40 Hamamachi, Otsu. Follow the final instructions from the 2027 overseas provider.

Does the course return to Otsu?

No. It finishes at Karasuma Peninsula in Kusatsu. Plan return transport from the finish and use the published shuttle connections.

Which other spring race offers more cutoff time?

Fukui Sakura Marathon has a longer overall limit, although its second wave has 6h50. Compare the actual entry channel and travel costs as well as the headline cutoff.