KOBE MARATHON 2026

“This is my second time running the Kobe Marathon.”

The runner set off on a new course aiming to break 3:30, but missed the goal because of early congestion and cramps late in the race. Even after a leg cramp at 38 km, the runner kept running and finished with a net time of 3:32:45. The runner enjoyed the sea and Port Tower views at the Harborland finish.

Quoted from the original · translated

“The support was really enthusiastic, perhaps because we had passed through the busy city centre.”

The support was enthusiastic in the city centre early on, but the gentle ups and downs and the heat gradually made the runner's legs feel heavier. The runner gave up the goal of maintaining the target pace at the halfway point and continued through the remaining section.

Quoted from the original · translated

“I strongly felt that whether I had anything left in my legs in the latter stages depended on how I managed my pace.”

The runner finished in 2 hours 51 minutes on the new course in 2025 and reflected that even on the flatter course, maintaining stamina in the latter stages depended on pacing.

Quoted from the original · translated

“two marathons two weeks apart are madness!”

The second half was difficult because of the runner's fatigue from the marathon 2 weeks earlier and the hot weather, but the runner completed the Kobe Marathon with support from the volunteers and spectators.

“The total time was 4 hours 59 minutes and 18 seconds, and chip time was 4 hours 52 minutes and 16 seconds.”

The runner lowered the goal to sub-4.5 because of a right ankle injury and insufficient training. Although the runner felt pain and a lack of energy after 30 km, the runner completed Kobe's new course. The runner also recorded the coastal scenery, the yellow-glove celebration, and the experience of collecting baggage after crossing the finish line.

Quoted from the original · translated

“It was 4 hours 53 minutes 46 seconds.”

The runner entered the race with the goal of finishing after experiencing pain in the left knee and a break from training. The runner developed cramps after 33 km and walked quickly for the final 5 km, but experienced the continuous support, private aid stations and scenery at the new finish location.

Quoted from the original · translated

“Net Time: 4 hours 19 minutes 28 seconds”

The runner completed the course at the Kobe Marathon, which had 20,000 runners and passed Kobe City Hall, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Bridge. The runner rated the crowd support, the volunteers' hospitality and the baggage service positively, and finished with a net time of 4 hours 19 minutes 28 seconds.

“I finished, but my total time was 4 hours, 8 minutes and 55 seconds (net time: 4 hours, 6 minutes and 58 seconds).”

The runner experienced hot weather above 20°C and the climbs and descents before and after the Kobe Bridge at the 2024 Kobe Marathon. Although the runner's pace dropped significantly in the second half, the runner finished in 4 hours, 8 minutes and 55 seconds, and also shared news of a course change the following year.

Quoted from the original · translated

“I safely reached the moving finish.”

With encouragement from the volunteers on the Kobe Bridge section, the runner made it up the hill without walking. The runner sprinted down the final straight and finished in 3 hours 55 minutes 55 seconds (net time: 3 hours 53 minutes 21 seconds).

Quoted from the original · translated

“I finished in 3 hours 6 minutes 42 seconds, but I did not break 3 hours.”

The runner ran a course through central Kobe, along the coastline and across the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. After 38 km, the runner faced the climb up Kobe Bridge, hot weather and frequent ups and downs, and finished in 3 hours 6 minutes 42 seconds.

Quoted from the original · translated

“I definitely appreciated a lot of the encouragement as I hobbled along on those final 10kms.”

They struggled in the latter stages after running two marathons within a short interval, but highly praised the organization and the encouragement from volunteers and spectators.