36th Gunma Marathon 2026

The 36th Gunma Marathon returns on 3 November 2026, Japan's Culture Day holiday, as one of Gunma Prefecture's established mass-participation road-running festivals. The event began in 1991 as the Gunma Prefectural Marathon and now brings marathon runners, 10K racers and community participants together across Maebashi and Takasaki. The full marathon and 10K are certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations.

The marathon starts near Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma in two waves at 08:55 and 09:00, then runs through Maebashi and Takasaki before returning to the stadium finish. Official course material highlights several distinctly Gunma features: sections beside the Tone River, views towards the Akagi and Haruna mountain ranges, passage by the Gunma Prefectural Office and stretches also used by the New Year Ekiden. The organiser plans 17 drink stations and 10 food stations along the marathon route.

The six-hour marathon limit is measured from the second wave. Ten intermediate gates are published, beginning at 8.2 km and continuing through 40 km, with the final race operation ending at 15:00. The 10K uses two waves at 10:00 and 10:05 with a 90-minute limit. The Riverside Jogging programme follows from noon on an approximately 4.2 km course, including a Junior Speed Run and later community waves.

Timing chips record both gun and net times, although official results use gun time. Marathon splits are recorded every 5 km plus the halfway point. Athlete bibs, timing chips and the participant manual are mailed in advance in late October, so there is no pre-race or race-day check-in. Free organiser shuttle buses are planned from JR Maebashi, Shin-Maebashi and Takasaki stations, with additional transport from designated parking areas.