2026 Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon - Nov 1 Countdown

-- DAYS

-- HRS

-- MIN

-- SEC

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

Sold out

Race Information

Race	2026 Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon - Nov 1
City	Shimonoseki
Date	2026-11-01 at 08:30
Field Size	~10,000 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Cutoff pace	8:32/km
Timezone	Asia/Tokyo
Official Site	Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon Organizing Committee (下関海響マラソン実行委員会)

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	15.6°C / 60°F
Humidity	79%
Wind	12.9 km/h
Rain Chance	24%
Typical Conditions	Mild early-November coastal weather at the western tip of Honshu, typically 11-18C around the 8:30 AM start, with a sea breeze off the Kanmon Strait and a modest chance of showers.

What to Prepare: Expect a comfortable but breezy seaside morning. Wear a singlet or light long-sleeve you can race in, carry a throwaway top for the start corral, and be ready for headwind on the exposed bridge and turnaround 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 12.9 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	12.7°C	15.6°C	18.3°C
Dew point	8°C	11.4°C	15.7°C

Wet-day chance: 24% Runnability: 77/100

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

Course Profile

Course Type	Out-and-back seaside road marathon
Elevation Gain	180m
Terrain	Road
Profile	A scenic seaside course hugging the Kanmon Strait and the Japan Sea, with a crossing of the Hikoshima Bridge and four notable 40-50 m climbs concentrated in the second half that make the back end genuinely demanding.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon - Nov 1

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 ...

Use Calculator →

Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

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

Use Calculator →

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-...

Use Calculator →

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...

Use Calculator →

Elevation Gain/Loss Impact Calculator

How much will hills slow you down? Enter elevation gain, loss, and distance to see adjusted pace, di...

Use Calculator →

Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) Calculator — Hills & Strava

Convert uphill or downhill running pace to flat-equivalent GAP in one click. Free grade adjusted pac...

Use Calculator →

View all running tools

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon 2026?

The Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon 2026 is held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with an 8:30 AM start. The course begins and finishes near Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki on the southwestern tip of Honshu, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, running along the Kanmon Strait and the Sea of Japan coast.

How do I enter, and is there a lottery?

There is no lottery: entry is first-come, first-served, and registration closes the moment the 10,000-runner full-marathon cap is reached, even before the listed deadline. Spots can sell out, so apply early through the official site and RUNNET. The standard full-marathon entry fee is 12,000 yen (a 13,000-yen charity option is also offered). Set a realistic target first with our race time predictor.

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

The time limit is 6 hours from the start, enforced across 11 checkpoints. That is tighter than many large Japanese marathons, and combined with four 40-50 m climbs in the second half, it makes Shimonoseki better suited to runners targeting a sub-6-hour finish than to absolute first-timers. Plan your effort for the hilly back half with our pace calculator.

What makes the course special?

It is regarded as one of Japan's finest seaside courses, tracing the Kanmon Strait that separates Honshu from Kyushu and opening onto the Sea of Japan. Runners cross the Hikoshima Bridge and pass landmarks such as Akama Shrine, the Dannoura battle site and Karato Market. The reward for the demanding climbs is a near-continuous panorama of working strait waters and ferry traffic.

Is this 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 a Boston Marathon qualifier if you meet your age-group standard. Confirm where you stand with our Boston qualifying calculator. Note the strait crossings and back-half climbs make this a course where you earn your time.

How do overseas runners get to Shimonoseki?

Many nationalities can enter Japan visa-free for short tourist stays, and Japan does not currently require an ESTA or eTA; confirm your own country's rule before booking. Shimonoseki sits at the western end of Honshu, reachable via Shin-Shimonoseki Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen, about five hours from Tokyo or under an hour from Hakata in Fukuoka, making a Kyushu-Honshu race trip easy to combine.