2026 Mie Matsusaka Marathon - Dec 20 Countdown

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Race Information

Race	2026 Mie Matsusaka Marathon - Dec 20
City	Matsusaka
Date	2026-12-20 at 09:00
Field Size	~10,000 runners
Time Limit	7 hours
Cutoff pace	9:57/km
Timezone	Asia/Tokyo
Official Site	Mie Matsusaka Marathon Organizing Committee

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	3.4°C / 38°F
Humidity	85%
Peak Wind	16 km/h
Rain Chance	24%
Typical Conditions	A December start and a potentially long finish window call for separate pre-race and post-race clothing plans.

What to Prepare: Keep warm while waiting for the start; put dry clothes in the bag you will access after finishing.

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	-0.3°C	3°C	7.4°C
Dew point	-3.2°C	0.4°C	5.9°C

Wet-day chance: 24% Runnability: 63/100

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

Course Profile

Course Type	Point-to-point
Terrain	Paved roads
Profile	Starts outside Kuragi Culture Hall and finishes at Matsusaka City General Sports Park on a JAAF-certified route through the city and surrounding countryside.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Course Analysis

Seven hours includes the start-line queue

The race starts at 09:00 on December 20 and closes at 16:00. The organizer warns that some runners may take more than ten minutes to cross the start line.

The planned 30km checkpoint closes at 14:05, and 40km at 15:38. Save those clock times from the official rules and budget aid stops against them, not just your watch’s moving pace.

Food stops need time, not a late sprint

Matsusaka beef aid and tunnel entertainment are distinctive parts of this race. Pick the stops you most want to enjoy using the organizer’s course information, then include that time in your finish target.

Do not assume every item from a previous edition will return. Check the current menu and avoid relying on unfamiliar food as your only race fuel.

The advertised general-entry window has ended

General entry ran from June 1 to July 31, 2026, on a first-come basis. The domestic base fee was JPY 12,900 plus the RUNNET processing charge. It is not a verified overseas-package quote.

The full marathon has a published capacity of 10,000. The 6,300 general-entry places are only one allocation; neither figure includes the separate 5km and walk. Check official notices for any later changes rather than assuming a short-event opening also applies to the marathon.

Three locations to keep straight

Matsusaka Station, the start at Kuragi Culture Hall and the finish at Matsusaka City General Sports Park are separate locations. The rules describe free station shuttles and prebooked paid parking; do not arrive expecting to buy an organizer parking space.

Bibs and chips are sent in advance under the published rules. Overseas runners should confirm delivery before leaving home. Use the official runner information to plan the return from the finish.

Prepare for 2026 Mie Matsusaka Marathon - Dec 20

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 ...

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Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

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

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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-...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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View all running tools

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the start?

December 20, 2026, at 09:00 outside Kuragi Culture Hall. Starting blocks are scheduled to close at 08:45, so 09:00 is not an arrival target.

Can I still enter the full marathon?

The published general-entry window has ended. Consult the official news for later notices; do not book around an assumed extra allocation or an unannounced next edition.

Does a seven-hour chip time meet the cutoff?

No. The limit starts at the gun and includes your start-line delay and stops. You must also reach intermediate checkpoints before their clock-time closures.

What does the domestic fee cover?

The published general fee is JPY 12,900, with a separate 6% processing charge. Optional parking costs JPY 1,100 and must be booked in advance. Donation and hotel routes have different conditions.

Are the start and finish together?

No. The start is outside Kuragi Culture Hall and the finish is Matsusaka City General Sports Park. Plan spectator meetings and onward travel from the finish.

Where can I compare another regional Japan race?

Biwako Marathon offers a spring alternative, with a 5h50 entry requirement and a different point-to-point journey. Check both races’ current entry status before choosing.