2027 Kagoshima Marathon - Mar 7

2027 Kagoshima Marathon - Mar 7 Countdown

-- DAYS
-- HRS
-- MIN
-- SEC

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

Race Information

Race2027 Kagoshima Marathon - Mar 7
CityKagoshima
Date2027-03-07 at 08:30
Field Size~10,000 runners
Time Limit7 hours
Cutoff pace9:57/km
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Official SiteKagoshima Marathon Organizing Committee (鹿児島マラソン実行委員会)
RegistrationRegister · 14000 JPY

One email when it opens. Unsubscribe anytime. · Privacy

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature11.4°C / 53°F
Humidity75%
Wind26.4 km/h
Rain Chance41%
Typical ConditionsMild early-March southern-Kyushu weather, typically 9-13C at the 8:30 AM start with light winds and a small chance of an early-spring shower off Kinko Bay.

What to Prepare: Dress for a cool but comfortable start that warms through the morning: a light long-sleeve plus a throwaway layer for the corral, and be ready for a sea breeze and the occasional whiff of volcanic ash on the bayfront stretches.

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 26.4 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 7.3°C 11.5°C 15.8°C
Dew point 1.9°C 6.8°C 12.7°C
Wet-day chance: 41% Runnability: 71/100

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

Course Profile

Course TypeOut-and-back road marathon
Elevation Gain110m
TerrainRoad
ProfileA scenic bayfront route that runs flat through the early miles, then turns rolling in the second half with a sustained climb around 25-35 km and a steeper pitch near 35 km. The official high-low difference is small, but the late undulations make Kagoshima feel tougher than the numbers suggest.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Kagoshima Marathon - Mar 7

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

View all running tools

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Kagoshima Marathon 2027?

The Kagoshima Marathon is an annual early-March race in Kagoshima, on the southern tip of Kyushu. The course starts near the former Dolphin Port waterfront, runs north along Kinko Bay facing the Sakurajima volcano, turns around in the Shigetomi area of neighbouring Aira City, and finishes in front of Kagoshima City Hall with an 8:30 AM start.

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

There is no lottery: general entry is first-come, first-served. Unusually for a major Japanese city marathon, Kagoshima has not filled its 10,000 full-marathon quota in recent years, so a determined overseas runner has a realistic chance of getting a place rather than gambling on a ballot. Registration opens through the official site and RUNNET, and the full-marathon fee was 14,000 yen for the 2026 edition; the 2027 fee and entry window will be confirmed in the official announcement (expected around August).

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

The time limit is a generous 7 hours from the gun, with intermediate checkpoint cutoffs along the route, and entrants must be able to finish within about 6 hours 40 minutes. That relaxed overall limit makes Kagoshima approachable for a first marathon or a comeback, though the rolling second half rewards a runner who banks a little time on the flat early section.

Is the Kagoshima 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. Bear in mind that the climbs between roughly 25 and 35 km make it less of a flat-out PR course than a fast certified loop.

What makes Kagoshima worth traveling for?

The draw is the live volcano on the horizon: for long stretches the course faces Sakurajima rising straight out of Kinko Bay, often with a plume of steam or ash. Southern Kyushu offers warm March weather, famously generous aid stations with local treats such as sweet potato, and warm Satsuma-style crowd support. Pair the race with the hot-sand baths at Ibusuki and the historic Sengan-en garden for a full Kagoshima weekend.

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. Kagoshima has its own airport with domestic connections through Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka, and the Kyushu Shinkansen reaches Kagoshima-Chuo Station, so a race-weekend trip is straightforward.

How are the date and entry details usually announced?

The Kagoshima Marathon is held annually on an early-March Sunday, and the organizing committee confirms each edition's date and entry rules on the official site, typically the summer before. The 2027 date is confirmed: March 7, 2027 (announced in May 2026). The entry window, quota and fee are expected in the official summer announcement, typically around August. Check the official site and RUNNET for the confirmed date, the entry window and the exact fee before you plan travel.

More Marathon Countdowns

View all marathons