2027 Saitama Marathon - Feb 14 Countdown

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Race Information

Race	2027 Saitama Marathon - Feb 14
City	Saitama
Date	2027-02-14 at 09:00
Field Size	~14,000 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Cutoff pace	8:32/km
Timezone	Asia/Tokyo
Official Site	Saitama Marathon Organizing Committee (さいたまマラソン実行委員会)

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	2.2°C / 36°F
Humidity	73%
Wind	19.1 km/h
Rain Chance	25%
Typical Conditions	Cold, mostly dry mid-February morning on the inland Kanto plain, typically 2-6C at the 9:00 AM start with low humidity, light wind, and a small but real chance of snow (the 2026 edition was cancelled for snow).

What to Prepare: Dress for a genuinely cold start: thermal base layer, gloves and a beanie, plus a throwaway top to shed once you warm up. Winter sun usually burns off the chill, so avoid overdressing for the second half.

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 19.1 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	-0.9°C	1.4°C	6.2°C
Dew point	-6.2°C	-2.9°C	3°C

Wet-day chance: 25% Runnability: 64/100

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

Course Profile

Course Type	Loop road marathon
Elevation Gain	90m
Terrain	Road
Profile	A flat, fast city course through Saitama, passing landmarks such as Saitama Stadium 2002 and Urawa Komaba Stadium with only minor undulations, which makes it a realistic target for a personal best within the 6-hour limit.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Saitama Marathon - Feb 14

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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Marathon Predictor — 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Race Predictor

Free marathon predictor — convert your 5K, 10K, or half marathon time into race-day estimates from R...

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Race Finish Time Calculator & Predictor — Free

Predict your race finish time from pace, or set a goal time to find required pace. Free instant calc...

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Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Saitama Marathon 2027?

The Saitama Marathon 2027 (the 4th edition) is held on Sunday, February 14, 2027, with a 9:00 AM start. The start and finish are around Saitama-Shintoshin Station and Saitama Super Arena, about 40 minutes north of central Tokyo on the JR lines, making it an easy day trip or short stay for visitors based in the capital.

Why is the next edition in 2027 rather than 2026?

The 2026 edition, scheduled for February 8, 2026, was cancelled on race morning after roughly 6 cm of snow covered the start area and the course. The organizers announced the cancellation around 5:00 AM. The next time the race is actually run is therefore the 2027 edition on February 14, 2027.

How do I enter, and is there a lottery?

There is no lottery. General entry is first-come, first-served (先着順), so the full-marathon field can fill before the official deadline and early sign-up is recommended. For the 2027 race, priority entry ran July 1–13, 2026 and general entry opens at noon JST on July 15, 2026 through the official site and RUNNET. The full-marathon fee is 15,000 yen (handling fee extra). Set a realistic goal first with our race time predictor.

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

The time limit is 6 hours with intermediate cutoff gates, which is firmer than the 7-hour limits at many large Japanese marathons. It is achievable for a steady first-timer but rewards runners who hold a consistent pace. Because the course is flat, it suits a personal-best attempt; plan your splits with our pace calculator.

Is the Saitama 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 for Boston Marathon qualifying if you meet your age-group standard. Check where you stand with our Boston qualifying calculator.

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

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. Japan does not currently require an ESTA or eTA. Because the venue is a short train ride from central Tokyo, you can stay in the capital and travel out on race morning.

What is the weather usually like in mid-February?

Mid-February in inland Saitama is cold and usually dry, often 2-6C at the start with low humidity and light wind, which is good for fast times. The catch is the cold-snap snow risk that forced the 2026 cancellation, so watch the forecast and pack warm, water-resistant layers in case conditions turn.