What this is
A flat, scenic road race along the Mukogawa River in Nishinomiya, offering three distance options — half marathon, 10km, or 3km — making it accessible to runners of all levels. The riverside course has minimal elevation change, which makes it a popular choice for those easing into the autumn marathon season. Pace runners are provided for athletes targeting sub-3 to sub-5 hour finish times.
Who should go
Runners looking for a low-key, well-supported autumn race to kick off their marathon season. The 3km option makes it viable for beginners or those bringing older children who want to participate.
Good to know
Registration is typically handled through running event platforms such as RunNet (runnet.jp) or Sports Entry (sportsentry.jp) — foreign credit cards may not be accepted on all Japanese race registration sites, so check payment options carefully before signing up. The venue is an outdoor riverbed site, so there are unlikely to be permanent facilities; bring your own water until aid stations open on course. October mornings in the Hanshin area can be cool, so a warm-up layer is advisable. Bag storage is usually available at riverbed race events but confirm with the organiser closer to the date. Non-participants are welcome to cheer from the riverbank.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.