What this is
Shorter distances take centre stage here — this is not a full 42km marathon but a half marathon (21km) and a fun run (8.5km, branded as Nagoya RUN), both starting from Vantelin Dome Nagoya. The half marathon finishes at Shirakawa Park near the Nagoya Science Museum, while the Nagoya RUN ends at the renovated Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Running alongside the races, a three-day Marathon EXPO (March 12–14) fills Vantelin Dome Nagoya with corporate booths, food vendors, and stage entertainment — making it worth visiting even if you're not racing.
Who should go
Runners entered in the half marathon or Nagoya RUN are the obvious audience. The Marathon EXPO is open to spectators and non-participants who want the festival atmosphere without lacing up.
Good to know
Race entry is handled through official Japanese running registration platforms such as RunNet or the event's own site — foreign credit cards are generally accepted online but registration may require a Japanese address for correspondence. Vantelin Dome Nagoya (capacity around 40,000 for baseball) is a large, well-serviced venue with ample facilities; the EXPO area inside will be spacious. On race day, bag storage is typically provided at the start area for runners. Spectators at the Shirakawa Park finish line should use the Higashiyama or Tsurumai subway lines to avoid traffic congestion. The EXPO on March 12–13 is the quietest time to visit if you want to browse food vendors and stage acts without race-day crowds.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.