2027 Itabashi City Marathon

2027 Itabashi City Marathon Countdown

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Race date not yet officially announced — projected from previous editions. Confirm on the official site before planning.

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Race Information

Race2027 Itabashi City Marathon
CityTokyo
Date2027-03-21 at 09:00 (projected)
Field Size~10,000 runners
Time Limit7 hours
Cutoff pace9:57/km
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Official SiteItabashi City Marathon Organizing Committee (板橋Cityマラソン実行委員会)
RegistrationRegister · 11550 JPY

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Race Day Weather

Average Temperature9.7°C / 49°F
Humidity74%
Wind22.7 km/h
Rain Chance36%
Typical ConditionsCool, dry late-March Tokyo morning, typically 7-13C at the 9:00 AM start, often clear with an open-river headwind on one half of the out-and-back.

What to Prepare: Late-March Tokyo is prime racing weather, but the Arakawa flood plain offers no shelter, so expect wind on one leg. Dress for a cool start with a throwaway top layer and plan to tuck in behind a group on the windward stretch.

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 22.7 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 5.8°C 9.7°C 13.6°C
Dew point 0°C 5°C 10.9°C
Wet-day chance: 36% Runnability: 74/100

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

Course Profile

Course TypeOut-and-back road marathon
Elevation Gain30m
TerrainRoad and paved riverside path
ProfileAn almost dead-flat out-and-back along the Arakawa river flood plain with negligible elevation change, which is why it is one of Japan's most reliable personal-best courses.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Training in Tokyo

Arriving early? Explore daily running routes and local tips.

Prepare for 2027 Itabashi City Marathon

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Itabashi City Marathon 2027?

The 2027 date is expected to land on the third Sunday of March, the long-running slot for this event (it fell on March 19 in 2023, March 17 in 2024, March 16 in 2025 and March 15 in 2026), which points to around March 21, 2027 with a 9:00 AM start. The full date is confirmed when the organizer publishes the official guideline, usually in summer the year before. The course is an out-and-back along the Arakawa river flood plain in Itabashi, on the northern edge of central Tokyo.

How do I enter, and is there a lottery?

There is no lottery. General entry is first-come through an online application window on RUNNET that typically opens in early August and closes in late autumn, so the field can fill well before the deadline. The general allocation is roughly 9,250 of the 10,000 full-marathon places, alongside Itabashi-resident priority, furusato-tax and premium tiers. The standard full-marathon fee for the 2026 edition was 11,550 yen. Set a realistic goal first with our race time predictor.

Is this really a good course for a personal best?

Yes. The route runs along the Arakawa flood plain with almost no elevation change, and organizer data has put the average finish time near 4 hours 26 minutes, the fastest among comparable Japanese races with a 7-8 hour limit. The flatness and the JAAF/World Athletics certification make it a popular target for a marathon PB. Plan even splits with our pace calculator.

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

The time limit is a generous 7 hours, with the finish closing at 16:00 and two intermediate cutoffs along the way. Combined with the flat profile, that makes it a strong choice for a first marathon or a comeback race, even though the same flatness lets faster runners chase records.

Can I use my time to qualify for Boston?

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

Do I need a visa to run as a foreign visitor, and how do I get there?

Many nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia and others) can enter Japan visa-free for short tourist stays; confirm your own requirement before booking, as Japan currently has no ESTA or eTA. The start and finish area sits beside the Arakawa river in northern Tokyo and is reachable on the Toei Mita Line and other suburban lines, so you can base yourself anywhere in central Tokyo for race weekend.

What is the weather usually like in mid-to-late March?

Late March in Tokyo is usually cool and dry, often 7-13C at the start, which is close to ideal marathon weather. The catch is the exposed riverbank: there is little shelter, so wind on the open flood plain can make one half of the out-and-back feel harder. Pack a throwaway layer for the start line and be ready to draft on the windward stretch.

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