Race Categories
-
Athlete bib - Timing chip
Event Detail
Fukuoka International Marathon 2026 is one of Japan's long-established elite men's road races, staged as a World Athletics Elite Label event and as an MGC Series 2026-27 Men's G1 race. The 2026 edition also serves as a Japanese national selection race for the Beijing 2027 World Athletics Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Unlike a mass city marathon, Fukuoka is deliberately selective: the field is limited to about 500 men who meet demanding qualifying standards or receive organiser invitation or recommendation.
The 42.195 km course begins from two nearby start groups in central Fukuoka. Group A, roughly 100 invited, recommended and faster selected athletes, starts inside Heiwadai Athletics Stadium. Group B, roughly 400 athletes, starts from neighbouring Ohori Park. The route then loops through the south-western part of Fukuoka City, continues to a turnaround in Kashii and returns to Heiwadai Athletics Stadium for the finish. Official split records at 15K, 20K, half marathon, 25K and 30K are recognised for athletes who complete the race, but these are intermediate marks rather than separate race categories.
Race management is built for high-performance racing. The published cut-offs are exceptionally tight, beginning with 18:45 at 5K, 37:30 at 10K and 1:19:09 at halfway, then 1:53:00 at 30K and 2:31:30 at 40K. Athletes deemed unable to reach the next checkpoint in time can also be withdrawn before a formal closure. Special-drink service is restricted to Group A.
Entry closed on 11 September after applications exceeded the planned field. Athletes were selected by qualifying performance, with results sent by 18 September and payment due by 30 September for accepted runners. General athlete check-in takes place at the Fukuoka Prefectural Government Office from 16:00 to 19:00 on Saturday 5 December. Photo identification and the acceptance email are required, proxy pickup is not allowed and late check-in is not accepted.
The race is organised by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and the Fukuoka International Marathon Organizing Committee, with Fukuoka Athletics Association managing competition operations.
Race Pack Information
General athletes must present the acceptance email and photo ID. Proxy collection is not allowed and check-in after 19:00 is not accepted.
Prizes
Top eight finishers are awarded; detailed 2026 prize amounts have not been published in the current rules.