Hitachi Seaside Marathon 2026

Hitachi Seaside Marathon 2026 is the third edition of Hitachi's full-distance road marathon, based at Hitachi City Citizens' Sports Park in Ibaraki Prefecture. The race has established itself quickly: the 2025 edition was selected among Japan's "100 Best Running Races", and the organising committee later received an excellence award in the Marathon Challenge Cup annual awards. Interest in the 2026 race has also grown, with more than 5,000 entries recorded by late July and fewer than 1,000 places remaining at that point.

The 42.195 km course is certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and is designed around Hitachi's Pacific coastline. A major feature is the Hitachi Seaside Road, where runners have open views over the Pacific, followed by coastal running near Kawarago Beach. The organiser describes the route as a demanding course with meaningful undulations rather than a flat personal-best circuit. The overall time limit is six hours and intermediate cut-offs apply.

Race support is substantial for a single-distance marathon. Fourteen aid stations are scheduled between approximately 4.5 km and 38.1 km, with water at every station and food at six of them. Selected stations also provide toilets and medical support. Wheelchairs are not permitted because parts of the route are narrow or uneven, while runners who cannot compete alone may arrange a guide runner under the event rules.

Race materials and the participant long-sleeve shirt are scheduled to be mailed to entrants in late October, so there is no normal race-pack expo collection. The organiser also provides a race-day towel, with finishers receiving a medal and access to a web finisher certificate. A runners' welcome talk is scheduled for 14 November at Hitachie, featuring prominent guests including Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi. The official site publishes dedicated transport, parking and shuttle guidance for race morning, and runners are encouraged to plan access to the sports park in advance.