Race Categories
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Original large event towel - Same-day finisher certificate
- Timing chip
- Original large event towel
- Same-day finisher certificate
- Timing chip
- Original large event towel
- Same-day finisher certificate
- Timing chip
- Original large event towel
- Same-day finisher certificate
- Timing chip
- Seven marathon water stations
Event Detail
The 43rd Omachi Alps Marathon is a long-running road race in Shinano-Omachi, Nagano Prefecture, staged beneath the Northern Alps under the event theme “Run the Roof of Japan”. First held in 1983, it is promoted by the organiser as the birthplace in Nagano Prefecture of the full marathon open to citizen runners. The 2026 programme includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, individual 3K races and a 3K pair event, with all races starting and finishing at Omachi City Sports Park Athletics Stadium.
The marathon, half marathon and 10K use Japan Association of Athletics Federations certified courses. The route heads through Omachi’s rural landscape with views of the Northern Alps, autumn-coloured foothills and the Lake Kizaki area. The marathon is deliberately challenging rather than flat: the organiser gives a highest elevation of 862 metres and a lowest of 645 metres, a 217-metre difference. The full marathon starts at 08:50 and has a six-hour finish limit, with checkpoints at 15K after 1 hour 50 minutes, 30K after four hours and 39.2K after 5 hours 20 minutes. The half starts at 10:00 with a three-hour limit, while the 10K starts at 10:20 with a two-hour limit. The 3K programme starts from 09:10.
Capacity is 1,200 runners for the marathon, 1,200 for the half, 500 for the 10K, 400 across the individual 3K races and 100 pairs for the 3K pair event. All categories filled before race day and online entry was brought forward to close on 26 July 2026. The marathon has seven water stations and kilometre markers are provided throughout the certified long-distance course.
Domestic-address entrants do not need a pre-race or race-day check-in because athlete bibs and timing chips are mailed in advance, with dispatch scheduled around four weeks before the event. Runners can use free shuttle buses from JR Shinano-Omachi Station and designated event parking areas. Non-valuables can be left at the baggage area. Finishers receive a same-day certificate showing net time, while the participation item is a large original towel. Awards are based on gun time, with places one to six recognised in the published divisions. The event also highlights local hospitality, including apples and other regional refreshments at the sports park.
What's Included
Original large event towel; same-day finisher certificate showing net time; timing chip; baggage area for non-valuables; free shuttle buses from JR Shinano-Omachi Station and event parking; seven marathon water stations.
Prizes
Places 1-6 are awarded in each published division based on gross time. For the marathon, half marathon and 10K, the top three receive an original Oomapyon trophy.