Application Guidelines
Event Name
KOBE MARATHON 2026
MGC Series 2026-27 (Men's G2/Women's G3)
Organizers, sponsors, etc.
Please check the page below.
Event
Marathon (42.195 km)
Date and Time
Sunday, November 15, 2026
9:00 First wave starts
9:15 Second wave starts
Ended at 16:00
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 latest WA rules, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations competition rules, and the regulations of this competition will apply.
Furthermore, as this event is a WA-certified WA-labeled race, the World Athletics Label Road Races Regulations apply.
In accordance with WA regulations, doping tests will be conducted.
Time Limits
7 hours
- The time limit is calculated from the point of the first gun.
- For traffic, security, and competition management purposes, checkpoints will be set up along the course. Even outside of these checkpoints, if a participant falls significantly behind schedule, they may be asked to stop competing or given instructions to do so.
- The checkpoint closing times will be posted in the [Competition Guidelines] which will be announced at a later date.
Entry Qualifications (excluding invited athletes)
People born before April 1, 2008
- This competition is open to domestic and international competitors recommended by the organizers, and all participants must be able to complete the race within 6 hours and 30 minutes.
- Transfer of entry rights and substitution of other participants are prohibited. Any fraudulent conduct will result in disqualification.
- Clothing or disguise that is offensive to public order and morals and inappropriate for sporting events is not permitted.
- Wheelchair access is not available.
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.
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.
Applications will open on Friday, April 17th.
2.Period
From noon on Friday, April 17, 2026 to 11:59 PM on Monday, August 31, 2026 (JST)
Due to high demand, registration may close without prior notice, even during the application period.
3. Participant Selection
Participation will be confirmed upon receipt of payment of the participation fee.
Please note that we will close applications once we reach full capacity.
4. Payment of participation fee
After registering through JTB Sports Station, RUN JAPAN , or THAI RUN, please follow the instructions to confirm that payment of the participation fee has been completed.
If there are many applicants, registration may close before the deadline.
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 * (1) Excludes those who are eligible for awards.
Record Certificate
A certificate of completion will be issued to all finishers. This certificate will be available for download from RUNNET.
Personal Information
The organizers recognize the importance of personal information and will comply with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and related laws and regulations, and will handle personal information in accordance with the organizers' personal information protection policy. Personal information will be used to improve services for tournament participants, including lotteries, participation guides, notifications of related information, provision of services from tournament co-organizers, sponsors, collaborators and related organizations, first aid and coordination with medical institutions, and publication of results (rankings, etc.).
Furthermore, to the extent necessary for the operation of this event, we may provide this information to related businesses (including World Marathon Majors LLC, located in the United States, which operates the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and the Tokyo Marathon Foundation).
- The organizers may contact you to confirm details regarding your application.
- Participants must agree to the handling of their personal information before registering.
Others
- 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.
- Individuals with underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart failure, respiratory diseases, hypertension, those undergoing dialysis, or those using immunosuppressants or anticancer drugs) should refrain from applying.
- The organizer will transport the baggage entrusted by participants from the start to the finish line.
- The organizer is not responsible for any delays caused by public transportation or road conditions on the day of the event.
- 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.
- 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.
- The broadcasting rights and portrait rights for the event's footage, photographs, articles, location information, participants' names, ages, places of residence (prefecture or city/town/village name), and records in TV programs, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and printed materials issued by the organizer belong to the organizer.
- The organizers or parties authorized by the organizers may sell or display photographs and other materials from the event, and such materials may be edited or altered using various digital technologies, including generative AI.
- This event is a qualifying event for the “Wanda Age Group World Rankings” of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
- 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 will be held in compliance with all relevant domestic laws and regulations.
- 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.
- Follow the instructions of the organizer regarding other matters related to the event.
