Races

PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONJP / RACE GUIDE

Kitakyushu Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Kitakyushu
JP

CC BY 2.5Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

Race date in 99 days: Feb 21, 2027 Sun
City · Distance: Kitakyushu · 42.2km · 20.7km · 5km
Entry fee: ¥15,500Varies by event and entry period
Status: ClosedSee how to enter ↗

2027Date Feb 21, 2027 · Entry Jul 31, 2026 ~ Sep 24, 2026

2026

2026Date Feb 15, 2026

Official website ↗

Instagram YouTube

D-day as of Nov 14, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This JAAF- and AIMS-certified course starts in front of Kitakyushu City Hall,

passes through Tobata and Mojiko, and returns to the front of the International Conference Center.

More than 10,000 runners take part, and 310,000 locals line the route to cheer.

Aid stations serve local food such as Kokura beef skewers.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3

godhandmamoRan in 2026 · Finish time 3:13:39

“I was glad the wind that bothers runners every year wasn't there at this race.”

Chip time finished in 3:13:39 by the account in this race report. The temperature was already high at the start, and with dehydration a concern, the report says the runner stopped at every aid station to drink water, which also had an effect on the time.

Quoted from the original · translated

Original quote

例年選手達を苦しめる風は今回大会はなかったのは幸いでした。

Read the original on 「最後まで諦めない」～医師、時々作家、そしてランナー

TS ChannelRan in 2026

“I didn't finish — I got caught by the cut-off point at the 29 km mark.”

This report comes from a first-time marathoner who stopped at 29 km cut-off point and rode the sweeper bus back to the venue. The runner says they and the others running alongside them encouraged each other along the way.

Quoted from the original · translated

Original quote

完走ならず、29キロ地点で関門となりました

Read the original on TS Channel (note)

のづCurryRan in 2026 · Finish time 2:31:29

“The surprise energy drink at the 32km mark aid station gave me wings.”

A runner based in Kitakyushu ran a personal best of 2:31:29. Weather conditions were excellent, and encouragement from people close to them helped.

Quoted from the original · translated

Original quote

32km地点ではSRTのサプライズ・レッドブル給水で翼が生え

Read the original on のづCurryのマラソン日記

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

【北九州マラソン2026】試走&攻略動画！難所や見所も！
View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Lottery entry has closed

It ran Jul 31, 2026–Sep 24, 2026.
Check separately whether other entry routes are open and spots remain.

Registration history · The 2027 race opened entry on Fri, July 31, 2026

Lottery

Entry cost ¥15,500

General entry was by lottery from July 31 to September 24. It covered the full marathon, pair relay, 20.7 km and Fun Run, and results came out in mid-October.

Born on or before April 1, 2008; finish within 5 hours 40 minutes

Organizer's page

Qualifying time

Entry cost ¥15,500

Speed runner entry (lottery of 1,000) was open to runners with a result within 3:30 in the full marathon, 1:30 in the half marathon, or 35 minutes for 10 km.

Submit a finisher certificate

Organizer's page

Charity

Entry cost TBD

Sports promotion runner (Furusato Nozei) entry was first come, first served: 700 spots for the full marathon and 100 for the 20.7 km, open until November 6.

Organizer's page

Overseas residents

Entry cost ¥20,000

Residents outside Japan apply through the overseas entry site on a first-come, first-served basis (100 spots);

the entry fee is 20,000 yen.

Entry for 2027 has closed.

Living outside Japan

Organizer's page

About Other

Other

Entry cost TBD

There were also separate quotas: a priority lottery of 2,000 for Kitakyushu residents, 1,500 first-come spots with bibs sent in advance,

and 50 spots linked to volunteer groups.

Residents quota requires living within the city

Organizer's page

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Your 42.2km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 09:00

Time limit6 hours

Marathon: 6 hours (gun time, 09:00–15:00). 20.7 km marathon: 3 hours (gun time). Fun Run: 45 minutes.

Event	Start	Time limit	Entry fee	Field size	Bib pickup
マラソン42.195km	09:00	6h	¥15,500	10,800	2027-02-20 20:00
20.7kmマラソン20.7km	09:00	3h	—	250	—
20.7kmマラソン20.7km	09:00	12:00	¥14,500	250	2027-02-20 20:00
ファンラン(1.5km・3km・5km)5km	10:00	10:45	¥5,000	1,000	2027-02-20 20:00
ペアリレーマラソン42.195km	09:00	15:00	¥29,000	500	2027-02-20 20:00

START

In front of Kitakyushu City Hall (1-1 Jonai, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu).

Start · Google Maps

FINISH

In front of Kitakyushu International Conference Center, Kitakyushu City

Finish · Google Maps

Cutoff
3.1km 9:40 · 7.5km 10:16 · 11.3km 10:47 · 15.3km 11:20 · 20.3km 12:00 · 25.5km 12:43 · 28.8km 13:10 · 32km 13:36 · 35.8km 14:07 · 39.9km 14:41

Runners start · local time — Marathon, pair relay and 20.7 km marathon start at 09:00 (scheduled); Fun Run at 10:00 (scheduled).

Kitakyushu Marathon 2027 official course: https://en.kitakyushu-marathon.jp/course/ (start–10 km, 10–20 km and 20 km–finish sections, plus elevation profile).

The Kitakyushu Marathon is a city-style full marathon race put on by Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, at the northern tip of Kyushu.

The 13th edition on February 15, 2026 drew more than 10,000 runners, and the city says about 310,000 people cheered from the roadside.

You start in front of City Hall, pass the Higashida district in Yahata-higashi,

the area in front of Tobata Station and Higashiminato, and loop around the first turnaround point.

Then you follow National Route 199 and the Nishi-Kaigan coast to the port town of Mojiko, turn once more and come back.

The finish is at the Kitakyushu International Conference Center.

The official site only has a 2023 PDF of the elevation profile, so exact figures aren't available.

Reviewers instead point to the wind, which troubles runners every year.

In 2026 there was hardly any, and some said the temperature was high.

The course could change, so check the official map.

The marathon time limit is six hours, with ten cut-off point, and if you fall behind you're picked up by bus.

The best part is the food at the aid stations.

The sponsor snacks the city selected include Kokura beef skewers, pufferfish-shaped monaka and Kitakyushu lemon candy,

so mid-run you start wondering 'what's next to eat?' The field is 10,800, mostly decided by lottery, so it's a popular one.

Field size: 10,800 people (marathon)
AIMS Certified: Member race of the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races)
Typical race-season temperature: around 6°C (43°F): Long sleeves + a throwaway layer for the start

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Pacers

Aid stations

Finisher medal

Finisher certificate

Bag drop

Changing rooms

Race expo

Hotels647m from the start · ★8.7

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Bib pickup

You cannot receive it on the day of the competition.
2/20 (Sat) 9:00~20:00

Kitakyushu Messe, Kitakyushu City

Google Maps Directions

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the startJR Nishi-Kokura (south exit)
Free public transitBib pickup is only on the day before the race (Feb 20, 9:00-20:00).
Getting to the finishJR Kokura (Shinkansen exit)

Source · checked Nov 10, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

JR Nishi-Kokura (south exit)

Start is in front of Kitakyushu City Hall: about 10 min walk from JR Nishi-Kokura (south exit), Monorail Heiwadori and Tanga stations, and about 15 min from JR Kokura Station (castle side). No parking is provided at the venues, so use public transport.

Bib pickup is only on the day before the race (Feb 20, 9:00-20:00).

Map

Getting to the finish

JR Kokura (Shinkansen exit)

Finish is at Kitakyushu International Conference Center, about 5 min walk from JR Kokura Shinkansen exit via a pedestrian deck; the bib pickup/EXPO venue (Kitakyushu Messe) is next to it.

Map

Source · checked Nov 10, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The start is at 9:00 in front of City Hall.

The nearest stations: about a 10-minute walk from the south exit of JR Nishi-Kokura Station,

and about 10 minutes each from Heiwadori and Tanga stations on the monorail.

From the JR Kokura Station side it's about a 15-minute walk.

Bibs are available only at Kitakyushu Messe on Saturday, February 20, 9:00 to 20:00.

They cannot be picked up on race day.

Proxy pickup is allowed, so just print out your QR code and go.

Bags dropped at the start are moved to the finish by the organizers, though arrival may be delayed by road conditions.

Men change in the Katsuyama Park underground parking lot, women inside City Hall.

At the finish, the changing room is in the new wing of the West Japan General Exhibition Center.

There's no parking near the venue, so use JR or a bus.

The time limit is six hours, with the first cut-off point at the 3.1km mark at 9:40 and the last at the 39.9km mark at 14:41.

If you haven't crossed the International Conference Center intersection by 15:00, you're directed to the sidewalk.

If you're worried about your pace, follow a pace runner between 2:50 and 6:00.

Costumes are banned in the full marathon.

February is cold before the start, but some reviewers said it warmed up enough that they worried about dehydration,

so put a light jacket in your drop bag and bring a hat or gloves in case it's windy.

For lodging, near the Shinkansen exit of JR Kokura Station is close to the finish and the exhibition center.

The commemorative participant T-shirt is a separate purchase (¥2,000), so tick the box when you register.

A bib with your nickname (¥500) can also be chosen only at registration.

The finisher's finisher medal and online finisher certificate come as standard.

Times are local to Kitakyushu. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Rihga Royal Hotel Kokura

Hotel · 1.1km · 16-minute walk

8.5/10(1326)

View on Booking.com

Fukuoka Tenjin Branch: Ultimate Dry Head Spa & Body Relaxation

¥7,732

Kitakyushu Marathon

About Kitakyushu Marathon — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run