12th Chikumagawa Half Marathon Nagano 2026

The 12th Chikumagawa Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 22 November 2026 in Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture. The course follows both banks of the Chikuma River and offers a quieter, scenic alternative to Japan's big-city races. The event is organised by Chikuma City and the local half-marathon committee, with a half marathon for adult runners and a short family run.

Course and atmosphere

The 21.0975 km course starts and finishes at Togura Gymnasium. Much of the route uses embankment roads beside the Chikuma River, with views towards the mountains and the Obasute rice terraces in the area recognised as Japan Heritage for its moon-viewing landscape. The organisers describe the route as relatively flat and beginner-friendly, although it is not an officially certified course. Runners aiming to use a time as a qualifying standard should check this distinction.

The half marathon begins at 9:00 am Japan time. Runners have three hours to finish, with intermediate checkpoints at approximately 3.78 km (9:40 am), 7.79 km (10:15 am), 15.82 km (11:25 am) and 18.44 km (11:45 am). Missing a checkpoint means the race ends there. At 9:20 am, the 2 km family event starts for an adult with one or two primary-school children, with a 20-minute limit.

Entry and race-day arrangements

The 2026 edition allows 1,500 half-marathon participants and 100 family groups. Entry has closed because the places filled; RUNNET brought forward its deadline to 25 August. Competitors should not expect late entry or an on-the-day check-in. The organisers plan to post race bibs, timing chips and participant instructions by 15 November. Bring those materials on race day.

Participants receive an original event T-shirt and a complimentary admission voucher for a local day-use hot spring. The organisers also advertise rice balls and a warming soup for runners afterwards. Web-issued completion certificates are available, with prizes for leading overall and age-group runners.

Getting to the venue

Togura Gymnasium is about 2 km from Togura Station on the Shinano Railway; the organisers advertise a free shuttle between the station and venue. Scheduled service is around 6:30–8:30 am before the start and 10:30 am–2:00 pm afterwards. Some parking has been relocated owing to construction at the sports complex, so drivers must follow the location printed on their permit rather than assume parking beside the start line. The nearby Togura-Kamiyamada hot springs and Chikuma's river scenery make this an appealing Nagano weekend for runners and supporters alike.