47th Tamba-Sasayama ABC Marathon 2027

Tamba-Sasayama ABC Marathon 2027 is the 47th edition of one of Kansai's long-running city-and-countryside marathons. The race uses the JAAF-certified Sasayama Castle Ruins Marathon Course and returns on Sunday 7 March with a 10,000-runner full-marathon cap plus 150 two-person relay teams. The event is based at Sasayama Castle Ruins San-no-maru Square and combines the historic castle-town streets with Tamba-Sasayama's Satoyama countryside.

The marathon begins with a single mass start at 09:30. Organisers allow 6 hours 30 minutes, with course closures at 6.8 km (10:40), 18.2 km (12:05), 24.1 km (12:55), 30.6 km (13:55), 36.3 km (14:55) and the finish at 16:00. The relay covers the same 42.195 km course in two legs of about 19 km and 23 km, with relay runners starting from the rear.

The race is designed for both serious time goals and a distinctive regional running experience. SAURUS JAPAN pacers are scheduled for 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 and 5:00 targets, and official split timing is planned at 5, 10, 20 and 30 km, halfway, the 30.6 km turnaround and 40 km. Local support includes Tamba-Sasayama sweets on the course and the city's shishijiru wild-boar soup on the course and at the finish. Finishers receive a Tamba-yaki pottery medal, while participants receive the newly designed official event uniform and can download a web finisher certificate.

Entry is first come, first served from 1 October to 20 December 2026, with separate domestic, overseas, hometown-tax and limited-tights options. Participant instructions, bib, timing chip and baggage bag are scheduled for dispatch in mid-February. Race-day baggage storage is provided at the venue. Because local roads and parking are expected to be busy, the organiser strongly recommends public transport or pre-booked marathon buses from Shin-Osaka, Sannomiya, Himeji, Kyoto or Sanda. JR Sasayamaguchi Station is linked to the venue by paid local buses, with additional race-day services planned.