Fukuoka International Marathon

Next Race

December 6, 2026

242

days to go

The Fukuoka International Marathon is one of the world's oldest and most storied elite men's marathon races, dating to 1947. Held annually in December on a flat coastal course in Fukuoka, Japan, the race has hosted multiple world records and attracted champions such as Frank Shorter and Toshihiko Seko. It holds a World Athletics Elite Label and operates as an invitation-only event.

WA Elite Label

Est.

1947

Distance

42.195km / 26.2mi

Course

Loop

Surface

Road

Field Size

~475

When

December

THE COURSE

MI 0

KM 0

Start at Heiwadai Athletics Stadium

The race begins at Heiwadai Athletics Stadium in Fukuoka City, a venue that hosted track events at the 1946 National Athletic Meet. The opening kilometers wind through the residential neighborhoods of Nishiku Ward.

MI 2

KM 3

Ohori Park

Runners pass Ohori Park, a large city park built around a lake excavated as part of a 17th-century castle moat. The flat parkside road provides an early opportunity for the field to settle into pace.

MI 5

KM 8

Hakata Bay Coastal Road

Around the 8 km mark the course joins the flat coastal highway running along Hakata Bay. This exposed seafront stretch is the fastest section of the course and has been the setting for many record splits.

MI 13

KM 21

Turnaround at Kaizuka

The course reaches its turnaround point near Kaizuka in Higashi Ward, roughly at the marathon halfway point. Runners reverse direction here and begin the return journey along the same coastal road.

MI 19

KM 30

Return Coastal Stretch

The return leg follows the bay coast back toward the city center. Headwind exposure on this section is common in December and has historically affected finishing times.

MI 26

KM 42

Finish at Heiwadai Athletics Stadium

The course re-enters the stadium for a final track lap before the finish line. Derek Clayton set a world record of 2:09:36 here in 1967, and Tsegaye Kebede ran 2:05:18 in 2009, which stood as the course record until Yuya Yoshida ran 2:05:16 in 2024.