2026 Fukuchiyama Marathon - Nov 22

2026 Fukuchiyama Marathon - Nov 22 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Fukuchiyama Marathon - Nov 22
CityFukuchiyama
Date2026-11-22 at 10:00
Field Size~6,000 runners
Time Limit6 hours
Cutoff pace8:32/km
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Official SiteFukuchiyama Marathon Executive Committee (福知山マラソン実行委員会)

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature9.9°C / 50°F
Humidity81%
Wind22.9 km/h
Rain Chance56%
Typical ConditionsCool, often misty late-November mornings in the inland Kyoto basin, typically 6-13C at the 10:00 AM start, with low rain chances but a damp riverside chill.

What to Prepare: Dress for a crisp, sometimes foggy inland autumn morning: a light long-sleeve with a throwaway layer for the 10:00 start, and arm sleeves you can shed once the sun is up over the Yura River valley.

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

Wind at 22.9 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

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 6.9°C 9.6°C 12.7°C
Dew point 3.5°C 6.2°C 10.9°C
Wet-day chance: 56% Runnability: 69/100

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

Course Profile

Course TypeOut-and-back road marathon
Elevation Gain53m
TerrainRoad
ProfileA predominantly flat course (total elevation change about 53 m) that runs out along the Yura River to a turnaround near Oego and back, with one notorious short, steep climb of roughly 40 m right before the finish at Sandanike Park.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Fukuchiyama Marathon - Nov 22

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Fukuchiyama Marathon 2026?

The 34th Fukuchiyama Marathon is held on Sunday, November 22, 2026, with a 10:00 AM start. For the first time in its history the race moves off its traditional November 23 holiday date. It starts and finishes at Sandanike Park in Fukuchiyama City, northern Kyoto Prefecture, running out along the Yura River and back.

How do I enter the Fukuchiyama Marathon, and is there a lottery?

There is no lottery: full-marathon entry is first-come, first-served, with a quota of 6,000 runners across several entry windows (an early window in May, a city-resident window through September, then standard and last-minute windows). The standard full-marathon fee is 11,000 yen, with cheaper early and resident brackets. As a regional race it usually stays open for months, but demand has been rising, so register early through the official site or RUNNET. Set a target first with our race time predictor.

What is the time limit, and is the course beginner-friendly?

The time limit is 6 hours, recently extended to make the race more accessible to first-timers and slower runners. The course is mostly flat along the Yura River, which helps, but it ends with a short, steep climb back up to Sandanike Park, so save a little energy for the finish. Plan your splits with our pace calculator.

What is the course like?

It is a scenic out-and-back. The first stretch runs through central Fukuchiyama before crossing the Yura River, then follows the riverside road north through farmland and rural valley scenery to a turnaround near Oego around the 25 km mark. The river section has frequent small undulations rather than big hills, and the whole route peaks around 59 m elevation. Late November coincides with autumn foliage, making it one of the prettier inland-Japan marathons.

Is the Fukuchiyama Marathon a Boston-qualifying race?

Yes. The course is certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF / 日本陸連公認), so an official chip time can be used toward Boston Marathon qualifying if you meet your age-group standard. Check where you stand with our Boston qualifying calculator.

How do I get to Fukuchiyama, and do I need a visa?

Fukuchiyama sits in northern Kyoto Prefecture, reachable by limited-express train from Kyoto or Osaka in around 80-90 minutes, so it pairs well with a Kansai trip. Many nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia and others) can enter Japan visa-free for short tourist stays, and Japan does not currently require an ESTA or eTA; confirm your own nationality's requirement before booking.

What is the weather usually like in late November?

Fukuchiyama is an inland basin known for cool, often foggy autumn mornings. Expect roughly 6-13C at the 10:00 start, generally low rain chances, but a damp chill along the river, especially near the Oego turnaround where weather can turn. It is good running weather; pack a throwaway layer for the start and consider arm sleeves you can remove later.

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