2026 Okayama Marathon - Nov 8

2026 Okayama Marathon - Nov 8 Countdown

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

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

Race Information

Race2026 Okayama Marathon - Nov 8
CityOkayama
Date2026-11-08 at 08:45
Field Size~15,000 runners
Time Limit6 hours
Cutoff pace8:32/km
TimezoneAsia/Tokyo
Official SiteOkayama Marathon Executive Committee (おかやまマラソン実行委員会)
RegistrationRegister · 14000 JPY

One email when it opens. Unsubscribe anytime. · Privacy

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature14.2°C / 58°F
Humidity78%
Wind15.8 km/h
Rain Chance27%
Typical ConditionsMild, dry early-November autumn weather in Okayama — a cool morning around 10-13°C warming to the mid-teens, low rain odds and light wind. Among the most PR-friendly conditions in Japan.

What to Prepare: Sunny-Country Okayama earns its nickname with low rainfall, but the 8:45 start can begin in single-digit chill. Wear arm sleeves or a throwaway top you can shed by 5K once you warm up.

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 15.8 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 11.1°C 14.2°C 17.7°C
Dew point 6.1°C 9.9°C 15.2°C
Wet-day chance: 27% Runnability: 75/100

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

Course Profile

Course TypeLoop through central Okayama
Elevation Gain50m
TerrainRoad
ProfileFlat and fast, ~50 m total gain — a genuine PR course; the only real bump is the Konan Bridge after 30K (about 17 m)
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Okayama Marathon - Nov 8

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

View all running tools

Featured In

Best Marathons for a PR 2026 Easiest Boston Qualifying Marathons 2027 Best Marathon Destination Races for Travel in 2026 Flattest Marathons 2026 Most Scenic Marathon Courses in the World (2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Okayama Marathon?

The 2026 Okayama Marathon is held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, with the full marathon and Fun Run starting at 8:45 a.m. (JST) from the Okayama Prefectural Athletic Park in Okayama City. It is run as a single annual full-marathon weekend.

How do I enter, and is there a lottery?

Entry is by lottery (抽選). The full marathon is capped at 15,000 runners and routinely oversubscribes — the 2025 race drew about 1.7 times its cap — so general applications open in spring (around mid-April) and a random draw decides places, with results announced in June. A limited hometown-tax (furusato) slot bypasses the draw on a first-come basis. Apply through the official site as soon as the window opens.

Is the Okayama Marathon course flat and good for a PR?

Yes. The JAAF-certified loop through central Okayama is one of Japan's flatter big-city courses — mostly across the Okayama plain, with the only notable rise being the Konan Bridge (about 17 m) past 30K. Combined with cool early-November air, it's a strong personal-best setup. Use our pace calculator for even splits and our finish-time calculator to model your goal.

What is the time limit?

The full-marathon time limit is 6 hours from the gun, with the final gate at 41.8K and intermediate course cutoffs along the way. That suits most trained recreational runners but is tighter than the 7-hour Japanese majors, so confirm you can hold roughly 8:00-8:15 per kilometre or comfortably below.

What landmarks does the course pass?

The route showcases Okayama's icons: the black Okayama Castle (烏城, 'Crow Castle'), the Asahi River, the historic Korakuen garden (one of Japan's three great gardens), plus the downtown avenues and the reclaimed-farmland and bayside stretches in the south. It is a scenic, spectator-friendly city tour rather than a destination-resort course.

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

Many nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia) can enter Japan visa-free for short tourist stays — confirm your own nationality's requirement before booking. Japan does NOT currently require an ESTA/eTA. Okayama is about 45 minutes from Osaka by Shinkansen, making it an easy add-on to a Kansai trip.

More Marathon Countdowns

View all marathons