2027 Soja Kibiji Marathon

The 2027 Soja Kibiji Marathon is a major community road-running festival in Okayama Prefecture, with 15,000 places across seven events. Its signature is the History Corridor Marathon. The longer routes take runners through the Kibiji area and past historic scenery including the five-storey pagoda of Bitchu Kokubunji Temple, a landmark unique within Okayama Prefecture. The half marathon and 10K use Japan Association of Athletics Federations certified courses.

Race morning is staggered to manage the large field. The 10K starts first at 09:00, followed by the marathon and half marathon together at 09:20. The 3K uses a wave start from 10:00 and the 5K starts at 10:30. The programme also includes an untimed 1.5K running event at 11:15 and an inclusive 800m run at 11:40. ARC does not currently expose exact 1.5K or 800m distance records, so those two events are documented here rather than mapped inaccurately.

The marathon has a six-hour limit with intermediate checkpoints. The half marathon limit is 3 hours 30 minutes, the 10K 1 hour 30 minutes, the 5K 50 minutes and the 3K 25 minutes. Organisers publish regular hydration and food support, with marathon stations about every 5 km and then every 2.5 km after 30 km. The event also highlights local Soja food, with city businesses and community groups supplying runner food and post-finish refreshments.

Entries opened on 1 October 2026 and are first-come until capacity is reached. RUNNET entry closes at 23:59 JST on 3 January 2027. Domestic runners are sent their bib and timing chip around mid-February. International entrants using RunJapan should follow the final race guide for separate check-in arrangements, which remain to be confirmed. One bag can be checked free of charge, and organisers plan shuttle buses from designated parking areas while encouraging rail travel and car sharing.