Application Guidelines
| Event Name | KOBE MARATHON 2025 (English name: KOBE MARATHON 2025) MGC Series 2025-2026 (Men's G3/G4) |
|---|---|
| Organizers | Hyogo Prefecture / Kobe City / Hyogo Athletics Association |
| Co-Organizers | Kobe Shimbun / Asahi Shimbun |
| Planning and Administration | Kobe Marathon Organizing Committee |
| Managing Organization | Hyogo Athletics Association |
| Supporting Organizations (Planned) | Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education / Kobe City Board of Education / Japan Association of Athletics Federations / Hyogo Prefectural Sports Association / Kobe City Sports Association, etc. |
| Special Sponsor (Planned) | Sysmex Corporation |
| Sponsors (Planned) | Minato Bank Ltd. / Shiroyama Holdings Ltd. / Sanyo Electric Railway Co., Ltd. / Yamato Kogyo Co., Ltd. and other companies |
| Special Supporters (Planned) | Kobe City Sports Association, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation |
| Supporters (Planned) | Osaka Gas Network Co., Ltd. / The Kobe International House Inc. / Kobe Sports Photo Stacame / Kobe Future City Co., Ltd., etc. |
| Event | Marathon (42.195km) |
| Date and Time | Sunday, November 16, 2025 9:00am 1st wave start 9:15am 2nd wave start 16:00 End |
| Course | The course is certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and World Athletics (AIMS), starting in front of Kobe City Hall, turning around near Okura Beach in Akashi City, and finishing at Kobe Harborland (Kobe Gaslight Street). |
| Competition Rules | The event will be governed by the 2025 World Athletics rules, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations competition rules, and the competition regulations of this event. In addition, as this event is a WA Label race certified by World Athletics, the World Athletics Label Road Races Regulations will also apply. In addition, doping tests will be conducted in accordance with World Athletics regulations. |
| Entry Qualifications (excluding invited athletes) |
Those born before April 1, 2007 ❶ Registration: Athletes registered with the Japan Association of Athletics Federations ❷ Non-registered: Non-registered with the Japan Association of Athletics Federations
|
Entries for the Kobe Marathon in English or Traditional Chinese can be made through the "JTB Sports Station" website owned and operated by JTB West Japan Co., Ltd., or the "RUN JAPAN" website owned and operated by R-Bees Co., Ltd.
If you would like to enter in Thai, please use THAI RUN.
Entries for the Kobe Marathon through the JTB Sports Station, RUN JAPAN or THAI RUN are only available to foreign nationals living in Japan and foreign or Japanese nationals living overseas.
<Japanese nationals residing in Japan> are not eligible.
Even if a <Japanese national residing in Japan> enters, the entry will be invalid.
Please note that even if you have already made a deposit, we cannot accept any refunds.
[Notice] Regarding entries from JTB Sports Station, RUN JAPAN, and THAI RUN
| Nationality | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of residence | Persons with overseas nationality (other than Japanese) |
Japanese nationality | |
| Overseas (outside of Japan) |
〇 Possible | 〇 Possible | |
| Inside Japan | 〇 Possible | × Invalid*1 | |
- If a Japanese person mistakenly applies and pays, the application will be invalid and entry fees etc. will not be refunded.
Types of Entry/Capacities/Time Limits
| Types of Entry | Categories | Time Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Individual entry | 20,000 | 7 hours*1.*2 |
- Time limits are based on the first signal gun time (9:00 a.m.).
- Cut-off times are set at each checkpoint in consideration of traffic controls, security, and event operation. Runners who are lagging badly may be prompted or instructed to withdraw even outside of checkpoints.
- Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Entries can be made through the JTB Sports Station, RUNNET GLOBAL or THAI RUN website, and entry will be confirmed once payment of the entry fee has been confirmed. Please note that there will be no refunds once payment has been completed.
- We will not accept any changes to your name or runner information after your entry is confirmed, so please check the information you enter carefully. Exceptions will be made if there are valid reasons such as marriage or change of address.
- Please understand that entrants cannot be changed after entry has been confirmed.
Kanmon closure time (scheduled)
| No. | Checkpoint location | Distance (km) | Closing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otabi Park | 3.8 | 10:00 |
| 2 | Industrial Technology Center | 8.1 | 10:36 |
| 3 | Sumaura-koen Station | 11.3 | 11:03 |
| 4 | Maiko Park | 17.5 | 11:56 |
| 5 | Okura Coast West | 20.9 | 12:26 |
| No. | Checkpoint location | Distance (km) | Closing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Maiko Station | 23.9 | 12:53 |
| 7 | Tarumi Sewage Treatment Plant | 27.1 | 13:23 |
| 8 | Sumaura-koen Station | 30.5 | 13:56 |
| 9 | Suma Seaside Park | 32.7 | 14:18 |
| 10 | Komagabayashi Hall | 35.4 | 14:46 |
| 11 | Central Wholesale Market | 40.1 | 15:37 |
| No. | Checkpoint location | Distance (km) | Closing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otabi Park | 3.8 | 10:00 |
| 2 | Industrial Technology Center | 8.1 | 10:36 |
| 3 | Sumaura-koen Station | 11.3 | 11:03 |
| 4 | Maiko Park | 17.5 | 11:56 |
| 5 | Okura Coast West | 20.9 | 12:26 |
| 6 | Maiko Station | 23.9 | 12:53 |
| 7 | Tarumi Sewage Treatment Plant | 27.1 | 13:23 |
| 8 | Sumaura-koen Station | 30.5 | 13:56 |
| 9 | Suma Seaside Park | 32.7 | 14:18 |
| 10 | Komagabayashi Hall | 35.4 | 14:46 |
| 11 | Central Wholesale Market | 40.1 | 15:37 |
Regardless of whether you start in the 1st or 2nd wave, the checkpoint closing times are as shown above.
About organizing the start
In order to start safely and smoothly, we will set up a waiting block at the start according to the time declared at the time of application. Please note that your records (time, race name, year of race) may be checked by the secretariat, so please be sure to declare them accurately.
If necessary, we may ask you to submit a record certificate. We also do not accept false declarations.
Entry fee
| How to apply | ・JTB Sports Station ・RUN JAPAN ・THAI RUN |
|
|---|---|---|
| How to pay the entry fee | Credit card | |
| Entry fee |
24,200 yen |
|
| Charity athlete bibs | Not required | Please add |
| 0 yen | 1,000 yen | |
| Total amount | 24,200 yen | 25,200 yen |
Registration
1. Methods
Please apply via one of the following methods.
When registering on each website, it is necessary to register as a member after agreeing to the terms of membership.
2. Duration
From Friday, April 18, 2025 at noon to Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (Japan time)
3. Participant selection
Participation will be confirmed once payment of the participation fee has been confirmed.
Please note that we will close applications once we reach capacity.
4. Payment of participation fee
After registering through JTB Sports Station, RUN JAPAN or THAI RUN, please follow the instructions to confirm that your payment of the participation fee has been completed.
If there are a large number of applicants, applications may close before the deadline.
5. Notes
If you have a disability (or have a disability certificate), please fill in the necessary information on the application form.
Runners check-in
1. Date and time
Friday, November 14, 2025 13:00-20:00 (last entrance 19:30)
Saturday, November 15, 2025 10:00-19:00 (last entrance 18:30)
2. Location : Kobe International Exhibition Hall No. 1, 1st floor (EXPO venue)
- This will only be available during the above times and will not be held on the day of the tournament (November 16th).
- Please bring your original passport with you as we will be conducting identity verification. (No proxy allowed.)
- If you are a person with a disability, please bring your physical disability certificate (original). If your identity cannot be verified using the specified documents (original documents), you may be disqualified.
Awards (Planned)
1. Overall (gross time)
1st to 8th place for both men and women
2. By age group (Net time)
This does not include overall award recipients for 1st to 8th place in each 5-year age group for boys and girls.
Certificate of Completion
A completion certificate will be issued to all finishers.
Each participant will need to download the data from RUNNET.
Participation Award
T-shirt (KOBE MARATHON 2025 original design)
【size】
| S | M | L | 2L | 3L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length(cm) | 65 | 68 | 71 | 74 | 77 |
| Body width(cm) | 47 | 50 | 53 | 56 | 59 |
| Shoulder width(cm) | 40 | 43 | 46 | 49 | 52 |
| Sleeve length(cm) | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
doping control
- This competition is a competition (time) doping test based on the World Athletics (WA) Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations or the Japan Anti-Doping Regulations. In-competition (time) tests are conducted from 11:59p.m. on the day before the race until the end of the test, and urine or blood (or both) will be collected. Those who are subject to the inspection should follow the instructions of the inspector and undergo the inspection.
- If you are subject to in-competition (in-competition) inspection, you will be required to present a photo ID. Please bring a student ID card, employee ID card, driver's license, or a copy of your passport with a clear photo.
- Participants in this competition are deemed to have agreed to be subject to doping inspections in accordance with the Japan Anti-Doping Regulations at the time of entry into the competition.
- Participants in this competition must learn about anti-doping in advance using the JADA Clean Sport Athlete Website.
JADA Clean Sports Athlete Site
▶https://www.realchampion.jp - If a participant refuses or evades the doping test (regardless of the type of sample such as urine or blood) conducted in this competition, if he/she does not follow the instructions of the inspector, or if he/she does not follow the instructions of the inspector, Failure to complete the doping test procedure for any reason may constitute an anti-doping rule violation. Please note that if you are judged to have violated anti-doping rules, you will be subject to sanctions based on the Japan Anti-Doping Code.
- Please note that athletes who undergo blood testing, whether in-competition or out-of-competition testing, may be required to rest for 2 hours after the end of competition/exercise to collect blood. .
- Please check the WA or JADA website for details of the WA Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations, Japan Anti-Doping Rules and doping tests in advance.
TUE application
Athletes who must use prohibited substances or methods specified in the Prohibited List International Standard for the purpose of treating an illness must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). For details, please check the website of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations Medical Committee or the JADA website. If a TUE has been granted for a prohibited substance or method, please submit a certificate (a copy is acceptable) to the inspector in charge of the doping test.
Japan Association of Athletics Federations Medical Committee website
▶https://www.jaaf.or.jp/about/resist/medical/（External link）
JADA Clean Sports Athlete Site TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) Forms
▶https://www.realchampion.jp/resources/000162.html (External link)
Japan Anti-Doping Agency website
▶http://www.playtruejapan.org/ (External link)
Personal Information
The organizers recognize the importance of privacy and will handle personal information based on the event's information protection policy in compliance with laws and regulations relating to personal information protection.
Personal information will be used for such purposes as drawing lots, providing information on participation, giving notification of related information, offering services from Kobe Marathon sponsors, co-sponsors, co-organizers and related organizations, giving first-aid treatment and coordinating with medical institutions, and announcing records (including rankings) with the aim of improving services to entrants.
Within the scope of operation of this event, personal information may also be provided to related business entities (including World Marathon Majors LLC, based in the United States, which operates Abbott World Marathon Majors, and the Tokyo Marathon Foundation).
Note that the organizers or the Kobe Marathon Runner Call Center may use your personal information to contact you and confirm information related to your application.
Participants must agree to the handling of their personal information before entering.
others
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In the event that the competition is cancelled or reduced due to reasons beyond the control of the organizer (such as alarms, earthquakes, natural disasters, snowfall, events, accidents, illnesses, etc.), no refunds of participation fees or other expenses will be made.
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Participants who have underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart failure, respiratory diseases, hypertension, those receiving dialysis, those using immunosuppressive agents or anticancer agents, etc.) should refrain from participating.
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The organizer will transport the baggage entrusted by participants from the start to the finish line.
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The organizer is not responsible for any delays caused by public transportation or road conditions on the day of the event.
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Wearing or displaying any designs, trademarks, or other advertising materials that indicate corporate or product names on the event venue (including the course) is prohibited.
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Bringing, operating, or flying any drones or similar unmanned aerial vehicles other than those used by the organizer, co-organizer, or sponsor is prohibited during the event.
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The broadcasting rights and portrait rights for the event‘s footage, photographs, articles, location information, participants’ names, ages, places of residence, and records in TV programs, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and printed materials issued by the organizer belong to the organizer.
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The organizer and the organizer's commissioned party may sell or display photos taken during the event.
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This event is a qualifying event for the “Wanda Age Group World Rankings” of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
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Regarding receipts for participation fees and other expenses: Please use the credit card company's "statement" or "invoice."
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This event will comply with all relevant laws and regulations in Japan.
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Please ensure that you have trained sufficiently and taken full care of your health before participating in the event, including undergoing a health checkup beforehand.
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Follow the instructions of the organizer regarding other matters related to the event.
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