Event Outline
Event Name
KOBE MARATHON 2026
MGC Series 2026-27 (Men's G2/Women's G3)
Organizers
Hyogo Prefecture / Kobe City / Hyogo Athletics Association (General Incorporated Foundation)
Co-Organizers
The Kobe Shimbun / The Asahi Shimbun Company
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 Co., Ltd. / Sanyo Electric Railway Co., Ltd. and others
Special Supporters (Planned)
Kobe City Sports Association, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation
Supporters (Planned)
Osaka Gas Network Co., Ltd. / Kobe International Conference Center Co., Ltd. / Kobe Future City Organization Co., Ltd. and others
Event
Marathon (42.195 km)
Date and Time
Sunday, November 15, 2026
9:00 First wave starts
9:15 Second wave starts
16:00 End
Course
This is a Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) and World Athletics (WA)/AIMS certified course, starting in front of Kobe City Hall, turning around near Okura Coast in Akashi City, and finishing at Kobe Haborland(Kobe Gas Lamp Street).
Competition Rules
The competition will be conducted in accordance with the latest WA rules, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations competition rules, and the regulations of this competition.
Furthermore, as this competition is a WA-certified WA-labeled race, the World Athletics Label Road Races Regulations apply.
Furthermore, doping tests will be conducted in accordance with WA regulations.
Time Limits
7 hours
- The time limit is based on the first gun.
- For traffic, security, and competition management purposes, checkpoints will be set up along the course. Even outside of the checkpoints, if a participant falls significantly behind schedule, they may be asked to stop competing or instructed to do so.
Capacity
Marathon: 20,000 participants
Entry Qualifications (excluding invited athletes)
Those born before April 1, 2008
- Runners are prohibited from transferring their entry rights or asking other persons to run on their behalf. Runners will be disqualified if any impropriety is discovered.
- Clothing and costumes that violate public order and morals and are inappropriate for a sporting event will not be permitted.
- This event is not open to wheelchair users.
Entry fee
24,200 yen (per person)
- Includes a charity donation of 200 yen (per person).
- Charity donations will be used by the Kobe Marathon Friendship Bank.
Application Method
- Method
Applications can be made through JTB Sports Station, RUN JAPAN or THAI RUN .
*When registering on each website, you will need to agree to the membership terms and conditions. - period
From noon on Friday, April 17, 2026 to 11:59 PM on Monday, August 31, 2026 (Japan time) - Participants will be confirmed upon payment of the participation fee.
Due to high demand, registration may close without prior notice, even during the application period. - After applying through the "JTB Sports Station", "RUN JAPAN" or "THAI RUN" website, please follow the instructions to confirm that payment of the participation fee has been completed.
Even if your application is complete, if the participation fee is not paid by the specified due date, your participation will not be confirmed and your application will be invalid.
Runners check-in
- Date and time
Friday, November 13, 2026, 1:00 PM- 8:00 PM (last entry)
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (last entry) - Location: Kobe International Exhibition Hall, Building 1, 1st Floor (EXPO venue)
- Registration will only be accepted during the times listed above; there will be no registration the day of event(November 15th).
- Please bring your original passport with you as we will be conducting identity verification. (No proxy allowed.)
Awards (Planned)
- Overall (Gross Time): Men's and Women's 1st to 8th Place
- Age group (net time): 1st to 8th place for men and women in 5-year increments *Excluding those who received awards in (1), (2), and (3).
Record Certificate
A certificate of completion will be issued to all marathon finishers. Participants will download the certificate from RUNNET.
Regarding clothing that can be worn and items that can be brought into the competition area.
According to the regulations on advertising and exhibits at the competition, the size and number of manufacturer names/logos and sponsor names/logos that can be displayed on clothing and other items worn within the competition venue are as follows. Please check in advance. In case of violation, masking measures will be taken with tape, etc. Please note that the organizers will not be held responsible for any damage to clothing or prints caused by masking.
athlete
- Competition clothing (tops, vests, pants, leggings, etc.), warm-up clothing, ceremony kits, tracksuits, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, rain jackets (tops and bottoms) [maximum size for each item]
• Manufacturer name/logo: Up to 40 cm² each (maximum height 5 cm, maximum length 10 cm)
• Sponsor name/logo: Each up to 40 cm² (maximum height 5 cm, maximum length 10 cm)
Both the top and bottom garments must have exactly the same markings.
• Name of affiliated organization/logo, name of school/logo:
One location each on the front and back of the top garment. *Maximum height of 5 cm on the front and 5 cm on the back.
One spot on either the front or back of the lower garment *Maximum height 5 cm
The length of each does not matter.
*Regarding school names/logos, there are no restrictions on the size of the top and bottom garments. -
Any other kits or clothing worn by the competitor (socks, headgear, hats, headbands, gloves, armbands, glasses, sunglasses, etc.)
• Manufacturer name/logo: (One location per item) up to 10 cm² (maximum height 4 cm, or maximum length 4 cm, area 10 cm²)
• Organization name/logo: Up to 10 cm² per location
- School name/logo, prefecture name/logo: One location. Size is not specified.
* Up to two logos on eyeglasses and sunglasses.
Personal belongings and accessories
- Towel bag - Manufacturer name/logo: 1 location, up to 40 cm² (maximum height 5 cm, maximum length 10 cm)
• Sponsor name/logo: 2 locations, up to 40 cm² (maximum height 5 cm, maximum length 10 cm)
- Athlete's name/Athlete's individual social media hashtag: One location, up to 40 cm² (maximum height 5 cm, maximum length 10 cm)
* The following applies to towels and bags.
All towels (beach, bath, hand, face) and blankets: Manufacturer name/logo: 1 location Athlete sponsor name/logo ★: 2 locations Athlete name or personal social media hashtag: 1 location ⇒ Each up to 40 cm² (5 cm high, 10 cm long)
All bags (including tags and labels)
• Manufacturer name/logo: 1 location • Athlete sponsor name/logo ★: 2 locations • Athlete's name or personal social media hashtag: 1 location ⇒ Each up to 40 cm² (5 cm high, 10 cm long)
*One of the athlete sponsor names/logos, or the athlete's name or personal social media hashtag, can be used as the organization name/logo (maximum height 5 cm, no length limit) or school name/logo (no size limit). - Drink bottles (bottles up to 1 liter)
• Names/logos of beverage providers, manufacturers, and/or athlete sponsors: 2 in 2 locations, each up to 40 cm² (5 cm high)
* If you bring in a plastic bottle, please remove the label.
doping control
- This competition is subject to on-the-spot doping testing in accordance with the WA Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations or the Japan Anti-Doping Code. On-the-spot testing will take place from 11:59 PM the day before the competition until the testing is completed, and urine or blood (or both) samples will be collected. Participants subject to testing must follow the instructions of the testing staff.
- If you are subject to inspection during the competition, you will need to bring a photo ID. This could be a student ID, employee ID, driver's license, or a clear copy of your passport with a photo.
- By registering for this competition, participants are deemed to have agreed to be subject to doping tests in accordance with the Japan Anti-Doping Code.
- Participants in this competition must learn about anti-doping in advance by using the JADA Clean Sports Athlete website ( https://www.realchampion.jp ).
- Participants in this competition may be in violation of anti-doping rules if they refuse or evade doping tests (regardless of the type of sample, such as urine or blood), fail to follow the instructions of the testers, or are unable to complete the doping test procedure due to personal circumstances such as travel home. Please note that if you are found to have violated anti-doping rules, you will be subject to sanctions in accordance with the Japanese Anti-Doping Code.
- Please note that athletes who are subject to blood tests, whether during competitions or outside of competitions, may need to rest for two hours after the end of their competition/exercise to allow for blood collection.
- Regarding TUE applications, athletes who must use prohibited substances or methods as defined in the International Standard Prohibited List for the treatment of an illness must apply for a "Therapeutic Use Exception (TUE)". For details,
Japan Association of Athletics Federations Medical Committee website: https://www.jaaf.or.jp/about/resist/medical/
Alternatively, visit the JADA website: https://www.realchampion.jp/resources/000162.html
Please confirm the following. If a TUE has been issued for a prohibited substance or method, submit the certificate (a copy is acceptable) to the inspector during the doping test. - For detailed information on the WA Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations, the Japan Anti-Doping Code, and doping tests, please check the WA or JADA website in advance.
Shoe control
- Competitors must wear shoes that are listed on the WA-approved shoe list ( https://certcheck.worldathletics.org/ ), have passed their competition eligibility date, and are approved for use in the relevant event.
Please pay special attention, as some shoe models listed on the shoe list cannot be used for certain sports. - Even with approved shoes, if you use "prototype shoes in the development stage" (prototypes before general release), you must apply to the WA for permission to use those shoes in the competition.
- The shoes used may be subject to inspection after the competition.
If a competitor is found to be wearing shoes that are not permitted, they will be disqualified. - When a world record is achieved, or at any other time the chief referee deems it necessary, the shoes will be collected and sent to a testing facility for detailed examination. The shoes may be cut or otherwise modified during this detailed examination.
Athletes should be aware of the model name of the shoes they will be using in competition.
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).
- The organizers may contact you to confirm details of your application.
- Participants must agree to the handling of their personal information before registering.
Others
- If the event is canceled or reduced due to reasons not attributable to the organizer (warnings, earthquakes, wind and flood damage, snowfall, incidents, accidents, illness, etc.), the entry fee will not be refunded.
- Those with underlying illnesses (diabetes, heart failure, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, those undergoing dialysis, those using immunosuppressants or anti-cancer drugs, etc.) should refrain from applying (entering).
- The organizers will transport the participants' checked baggage from the start point to the finish point.
- The organizers will not be held responsible for any delays caused by public transportation or road conditions the day of event.
- Wearing or displaying any designs, trademarks, or other advertising elements that represent company names, product names, etc., at the competition venue (including on the course) is prohibited.
- At the event, it is prohibited to bring, operate, or fly drones or similar unmanned aerial vehicles other than those used by the organizers, co-organizers, sponsors, etc.
- Posting videos, photos, articles, location information, participants' names, ages, residences (names of prefectures or cities, towns and villages), records, etc. of the event on television, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, printed materials issued by the organizer, etc. Rights and portrait rights belong to the organizer.
- The organizers or those authorized by the organizers may sell, exhibit, etc., photographs of the tournament, and when using them, they may be edited and processed using various digital technologies, including AI.
- This event will serve as a qualifying event for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wonder Age Group World Rankings.
- Regarding receipts for participation fees, etc.:
● For credit card payments, receipts will not be issued. Please use the statement or invoice issued by your credit card company. - This tournament shall be held in compliance with all relevant domestic laws and regulations.
- Regarding participation in the competition, please ensure you are in good physical condition by training sufficiently and undergoing a health checkup beforehand.
- In addition to the above, please follow the instructions of the organizers regarding matters related to the tournament.
