Runners start · local time — (half marathon) / 9:15(10km) / 9:20(2km) / 9:22(2km) / 9:24(2km) / 9:26(2km)
The Uonuma Koshihikari Autumn Foliage Marathon is a road race where you can experience the autumn scenery and rice-growing culture of Uonuma, Niigata.
Koshihikari, featured in the race's name, is the region's signature rice, and the event welcomes runners during the season when the new harvest appears.
Enjoying the cheers along the roads and sharing the area's appeal beyond the region are both central to the event's purpose.
It is also a community event in which Uonuma residents help run the race and meet participants from both the local area and further afield.
Half marathon is held alongside shorter events, allowing adult runners, students and families to choose their preferred distance.
A Fun Run for pairs is also available, bringing together age-based categories within one event.
The course course is measured by the organisers and is not a Japan Association of Athletics Federations-certified course.
Rather than following the format of a major-city race designed for official times,
it puts the local autumn scenery and crowd support at the heart of the race experience.
The area's agricultural character is also clear in the way the race celebrates finishers.
The finisher items for half marathon and the middle-distance event include freshly harvested rice from Kita-Uonuma,
while participants receive mochi made with local spring water and rice balls made from the new harvest.
Rice also appears among the prizes, naturally linking the race's name with the food served at the event.
The official introduction also highlights Uonuma's abundant groundwater and local sake, shaped by the area's heavy snowfall.
A trip to see the autumn leaves can therefore continue into a journey of local produce and everyday mountain culture through the race.
