33rd Yoron Marathon 2026 - Yoron Island, Japan

The 33rd Yoron Marathon takes runners around the coral-fringed roads of Yoron Island, a small Kagoshima Prefecture island just north of Okinawa. This is a distinctive destination race rather than a conventional big-city marathon: turquoise seas, white-sand beaches, tropical vegetation and enthusiastic island supporters are part of the experience. The organisers' message is to make memories as well as chase times.

The course begins and ends beside Chabana Beach, around Mykonos Street and the local landmark known as the Champion's Chair. The half marathon follows one circuit of the island; the full marathon runs that circuit and then turns back for another. Although Yoron looks low and fairly flat on a map, the organiser warns that the route has frequent undulations and bends. Pace conservatively, particularly before the later hills, rather than assuming an effortless coastal run. Kilometre markers are expected every 5 km, and the race plans approximately ten hydration points, subject to final adjustments.

Race-day programme: the opening ceremony is scheduled for 08:30–08:45 on Sunday 29 November. The full marathon starts at 09:00 JST with a seven-hour limit, and the half marathon begins at 11:00 JST with a five-hour limit. The organiser describes a field of roughly 800 runners. Full-marathon entrants must be at least 18 and no longer in high school; half-marathon entrants may be of junior-high-school age and older, with guardian consent required for minors. These are road races run under the applicable Japanese athletics regulations.

Before the race: participants receive a bib-exchange voucher by post and need to bring it for collection. Planned check-in at the Chabana Beach car park is 10:00–17:00 on Saturday 28 November, with an additional 07:00–08:30 window on race morning. A separately ticketed island-culture welcome party is planned for Saturday evening. An informal free finisher celebration is scheduled beside Chabana Beach after Sunday's racing, weather permitting. The official registration period ended on 30 September 2026; do not assume places are available.

Travel matters: arrive early and arrange flights or ferries and accommodation well ahead. Yoron has limited transport and accommodation capacity, and the organiser explicitly advises that there is no dedicated airport/port-to-race-venue shuttle. Some lodgings arrange their own transfers, so check directly with your host. Confirm the final race briefing, checkpoint arrangements and venue notices with the organiser before travelling.