2027 Kagawa Marathon - Mar 21

2027 Kagawa Marathon - Mar 21 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2027 Kagawa Marathon - Mar 21
CityTakamatsu
Date2027-03-21 at 10:00
Field Size~10,000 runners
Time Limit6 hours
Cutoff pace8:32/km
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Official SiteKagawa Marathon Executive Committee (かがわマラソン実行委員会)
RegistrationRegister · 14000 JPY

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Race Day Weather

Average Temperature9.3°C / 49°F
Humidity76%
Wind19.4 km/h
Rain Chance35%
Typical ConditionsMild, often dry late-March weather on the Seto Inland Sea, typically 7-13C at the 10:00 AM start in front of Anabuki Arena Kagawa, warming through the morning with light winds and a low chance of rain.

What to Prepare: Dress for a cool start that turns mild by midday: a long-sleeve base layer with a throwaway top for the corral, and thin gloves. The open Sanuki plain and waterfront can be breezy, so a light wind layer is useful, but late March on the Inland Sea is usually warmer than a February Shikoku race.

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 19.4 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 9.2°C 13.3°C
Dew point 0°C 4.8°C 10.5°C
Wet-day chance: 35% Runnability: 74/100

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

Course Profile

Course TypeLoop road marathon
Elevation Gain67m
TerrainRoad
ProfileA flat, fast course across the Sanuki plain with Seto Inland Sea and Ritsurin Garden scenery, only gently rolling and with no real climbs, finishing on the floor of Anabuki Arena Kagawa. With roughly 67 m of elevation range it is a genuine PR-friendly layout.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Kagawa Marathon - Mar 21

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Kagawa Marathon 2027?

The 2nd Kagawa Marathon is set for Sunday, March 21, 2027, with a 10:00 AM full-marathon start (3 km fun run at 10:30, 1 km at 11:30). It starts and finishes at the new Anabuki Arena Kagawa in Takamatsu, the prefectural capital, looping across the Sanuki plain with Seto Inland Sea and Ritsurin Garden scenery before a dramatic finish on the arena floor. The 2027 date is officially confirmed; it was announced by the executive committee on May 25, 2026.

How do I enter, and is there a lottery?

There is no lottery: the Kagawa Marathon uses first-come, first-served entry, and it goes fast. At the inaugural 2026 edition the general bucket sold out at 13:36 on its opening day, under two hours after sign-ups opened. Entry for 2027 is expected to open around the end of September 2026 through the official site and RUNNET, with multiple sub-quotas (a Kagawa-resident priority window opens first, then general, plus overseas and hometown-tax slots). Plan to register the moment your bucket opens. The 2026 full-marathon fee was 14,000 yen; the 2027 fee is carried forward but re-confirm when entry opens.

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

The time limit is 6 hours from the start, measured at staffed checkpoints, so you need to keep moving rather than walk the whole way. The course itself is flat and fast across the Sanuki plain with roughly 67 m of elevation range and no real hills, which makes it forgiving for pace, but the 6-hour cutoff is firmer than the most relaxed Japanese races. It suits a runner confident of a sub-6 finish or chasing a personal best on a flat layout. Map your splits with our pace calculator.

What makes the Kagawa Marathon distinctive?

It is the first full marathon ever held in Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture, which means Shikoku's four prefectures finally all host a JAAF-certified full distance. The signature feature is Sanuki-udon aid stations serving the region's famous Sanuki udon along the route, alongside Seto Inland Sea views, the Ritsurin Garden area and central Takamatsu's Chuo-dori. The finish runs you onto the indoor floor of Anabuki Arena Kagawa rather than a stadium track.

Is the Kagawa 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. The flat Sanuki-plain layout, with only about 67 m of elevation range, is well suited to chasing a qualifying time. Check where you stand with our Boston qualifying calculator.

Do I need a visa or travel authorization to run as a foreign visitor?

Many nationalities, including US, UK, EU and Australian passport holders, can enter Japan visa-free for short tourist stays; confirm your own nationality's rule before booking, as Japan does not currently use an ESTA or eTA. Takamatsu is reached by air via Takamatsu Airport, by train across the Seto-Ohashi Bridge from Okayama, or by ferry on the Seto Inland Sea, making a race-weekend trip from Honshu straightforward.

Where can I see how I would do on this course?

Because the Kagawa course is flat and fast, it is a good place to target a realistic finish time. Enter your recent race results into our race time predictor to estimate a goal, then use the pace calculator to build even splits across the Sanuki plain. Bank a small cushion early so the 6-hour cutoff is never in doubt, and ease off only for the udon stops you want to enjoy.

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