40th FM FUKUOKA Uminonakamichi Harukaze Marathon 2027

The 40th FM FUKUOKA Uminonakamichi Harukaze Marathon brings a long-running spring running festival to Fukuoka's Uminonakamichi Seaside Park on Saturday 6 March 2027. Despite its name, the longest race is a half marathon rather than a full 42.2 km marathon. The event also welcomes shorter-distance runners and parent-and-child pairs, with an advertised overall capacity of 5,000 entrants.

Running through the seaside park

Courses stay within the extensive national park on the narrow strip of land between Hakata Bay and the Genkai Sea. Runners pass pine-lined paths and coastal scenery in a setting that is markedly different from a city-centre road race. There are no public-road traffic junctions to negotiate. The predominantly gentle terrain can nevertheless feel more demanding when sea winds pick up, so it is sensible to bring layers for an early-March morning. The Large Lawn Field (Oshiba Hiroba) is the race village, assembly area and start/finish location.

Race-day timetable

The published provisional schedule has gates opening at 9:30 am JST, an opening ceremony from 10:50 to 11:10 am, then staggered starts at 11:20 am for 5 km, 11:30 am for 10 km, 11:40 am for the half marathon and 11:50 am for 3 km, including family pairs. Presentations and a prize draw follow, with the programme aiming to conclude around 2:30 pm. Runners should check the official page again before travelling in case of revisions.

Practical advice for visitors

Race bibs and timing chips are mailed in mid-February, rather than collected at a conventional race-pack expo. Bring the mailed bib: the organiser says entrants who forget it cannot start. Enter via the West Gate or Wonder World Gate, not the Uminonakamichi Gate; the latter does not issue the required event admission ticket. Wonder World Gate is approximately a 20-minute walk from the Large Lawn Field.

There is no event-exclusive car park. The organiser recommends public transport, including JR services to Saitozaki Station, buses and the ferry from Hakata. Park car parks are paid and may fill. An optional JPY 1,000 baggage-storage package must be reserved when entering, because same-day sign-up is unavailable. Valuables are excluded. Finishers receive an online downloadable certificate, not a printed on-site certificate. Arrive well ahead of your start to allow for park entry and walking time.