Runners start · local time — Half 09:00 · 5K 09:05 · 10K 09:10 · 2km 08:30
A 7.1km loop on flat embankment paths around the heart-shaped Lake Yanaka — half marathon runs 2 laps of Nishi Bridge → Higashi-Yanaka → Children's Plaza intersection → Shimomiya intersection → Nishi Bridge, then approx. 6.8km; 10km is about 2 laps of the 5km course. Distances measured along the shortest route
The 18th edition in 2026 was held on Sunday, September 27, with a combined field of 2,500 runners across the four events.
Half marathon starts at 9:00, 5km at 9:05 and 10km at 9:10, one after another from Nishi Bridge at the central entrance,
while the 2km starts separately at 8:30 in front of the race headquarters.
Half marathon runs two laps of a 7.1km loop from Nishi Bridge via Higashi-Yanaka,
the Children's Plaza intersection and the Shimomiya intersection back to Nishi Bridge, then covers the remaining approx. 6.8km on the same route.
Distances were measured along the shortest line around the heart-shaped course.
Time limit, counted from the start, are 1 hour 3 minutes for lap 1 (10:03), 2 hours 6 minutes for lap 2 (11:06),
and 2 hours 40 minutes at the 18km mark (11:40).
10km runners must complete the first lap (approx. 7km) within 1 hour 6 minutes, and 5km runners must finish within 45 minutes.
Water stations: 9 for half marathon, 4 for 10km and 2 for 5km.
The race goes ahead in rain, but it is cancelled if heavy rain raises the water and all the basin gates are closed.
Even if race day is sunny, the gates may be closed if rain from a few days earlier floods the basin.
Participation gifts are finisher certificate and a drink (for everyone) plus a T-shirt (half marathon, 10km, 5km);
in each of the half marathon, 10km and 5km categories, places 1 to 3 receive a certificate and a prize, and places 4 to 8 receive a certificate.
