About 40th Aizuwakamatsu Tsurugajo Half Marathon — what makes it special
ABOUT THE RACE
A day you'll remember, long past the finish line.
Half marathon is a course certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, and passes through Tsuruga Castle, the symbol of Aizuwakamatsu.
Runners race through the old castle town of Aizu in autumn, with several categories available.
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.
40th Aizuwakamatsu Tsurugajo Half Marathon runner reviews and race reports
Stories from runners who've been there.
From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.
Race reports: 3
マッキーRan in 2025 · Finish time 1:44:42
“Seeing my fellow runners from Aizu gave me extra motivation, and the warm reception after finish was still there.”
The runner completed the half marathon in 2025 in 1 hour 44 minutes 42 seconds (total time). They ran through the city center and historic district, crossed two pedestrian overpasses, and tackled the final uphill section. They also reported that the reception after the finish was warm.
“I had discomfort in my left hamstring, but somehow I ran all the way to the finish.”
The runner took part in the 2023 10 km and finished in 49 minutes 02 seconds. Since it was the first race one week after returning from an injury, the goal was to finish. The runner documented the shuttle bus and the race route.
“I enjoyed being able to run inside Tsuruga Castle. The final 2 km uphill section was quite tough.”
The runner took part in the half-marathon in 2017. They were impressed by the course, which allowed them to run inside Tsuruga Castle, and noted the final 2 km uphill section and the crowded shuttle buses as things to be aware of in advance.
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.
Half marathon 7000 yen, 5km 4000 yen, 3km 3500 yen, 1km 3000 yen, high school student 1500 yen, elementary and junior high school student 1000 yen, general pair 6000 yen, parent and child pair 3500 yen
not the start line
We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet.
Cutoff Half marathon has cut-off point at 4 locations; at the railway crossing around 17km, the barrier comes down for about 1 minute each at 9:21, 10:03, and 10:38.
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Runners start · local time — (half marathon) / 08:50(5km) / 11:25(3km) / 12:10(2km) / 12:30(2km) / 11:15(1km)
The event includes a 5km race and half marathon.
Start line is located in front of Aizu General Sports Park, with the start at 8:30 a.m. local time.
The finish is at Aizu Athletics Stadium.
Field size
1,000 people in 5km
Participant benefits
Not yet confirmed in the official race guide
Where and when to collect your 40th Aizuwakamatsu Tsurugajo Half Marathon race bib
To the start line, step by step.
Pick up your bib, check your wave. So on race morning, you can just run.
From the 2025 edition
Pick up your bib at the expo
The event programme and IC-tagged bib card are scheduled to be mailed in mid-September and must be brought on race day. Inquiries: Entry Center 048-778-5880
Number card with IC tag will be mailed around mid-September
