2026 Niigata City Marathon - Oct 11

2026 Niigata City Marathon - Oct 11 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Niigata City Marathon - Oct 11
CityNiigata
Date2026-10-11 at 08:30
Field Size~9,000 runners
Time Limit7 hours
Cutoff pace9:57/km
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Official SiteNiigata City Marathon Organizing Committee (新潟シティマラソン実行委員会)

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Race Day Weather

Average Temperature19.1°C / 66°F
Humidity73%
Wind22.7 km/h
Rain Chance50%
Typical ConditionsMild mid-October weather on the Sea of Japan coast, typically 13-19C at the 8:30 AM start, usually dry with a chance of a coastal shower and a light river breeze.

What to Prepare: Early-autumn Niigata is comfortable racing weather, but the riverside and seafront stretches are exposed; a light long-sleeve you can shed plus a throwaway top layer at the start handles a cool morning or a passing shower.

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 16.6°C 19.2°C 21.6°C
Dew point 10°C 14°C 18°C
Wet-day chance: 50% Runnability: 67/100

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

Course Profile

Course TypeLoop road marathon, stadium start and finish
Elevation Gain40m
TerrainRoad
ProfileA genuinely flat, fast course (only about 10-30 m of total elevation change) winding through central Niigata past the historic Bandai Bridge, along both banks of the Shinano River and out toward the Sea of Japan, with brief rises only at bridges and the Niigata Minato undersea tunnel.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Niigata City Marathon - Oct 11

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Niigata City Marathon 2026?

The 42nd Niigata City Marathon is held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with an 8:30 AM start. The course starts in front of Denka Big Swan Stadium and finishes at the Niigata City Track and Field Stadium, looping through central Niigata along the Shinano River and the Sea of Japan coast.

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

There is no lottery: full-marathon entry is first-come, first-served and closes as soon as the field fills. Online registration runs from early April to late June through the official site and RUNNET, and the general full-marathon fee is 12,500 yen. With a 9,000-runner cap, popular slots can sell out before the deadline, so sign up early. Set a realistic goal first with our race time predictor.

Is the Niigata course flat enough for a personal best?

Yes. Niigata sits on the flat delta of the Shinano River, so the marathon has only about 10-30 m of total elevation change, with the only real bumps coming at river bridges and the Niigata Minato undersea tunnel. It is one of the more PR-friendly autumn courses in Japan. Build your target splits with our pace calculator.

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

The cutoff is a comfortable 7 hours, finishing at 15:30. Combined with the flat profile and good aid stations, that makes Niigata a sensible choice for a first marathon or a comeback race. Use our finish time calculator to confirm you can clear the limit at your training pace.

Is the Niigata City Marathon a Boston-qualifying race?

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

What are the highlights of the course?

Niigata showcases the waterfront city: you cross the historic Bandai Bridge over the Shinano River (Japan's longest river), run along both riverbanks, pass through the Niigata Minato undersea tunnel and run within sight of the Sea of Japan, with Sado Island on the horizon on clear days. The race is part of the larger Niigata RunFes weekend.

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 nationality's rule before booking, as Japan does not currently use an ESTA or eTA. Niigata is about two hours from Tokyo on the Joetsu Shinkansen, making a race-weekend trip straightforward.

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