Kyoto Kameoka Half Marathon 2026

The 12th Kyoto Kameoka Half Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday 13 December in Kameoka, west of Kyoto city, with its race headquarters and main start/finish at Kameoka Sports Park Athletics Stadium. The event offers a competitive 21.0975 km half marathon, 5 km and 3 km road races, alongside accessible community fun runs. Its countryside setting, local hospitality and potential for personal-best performances have made it a fixture of Kyoto Prefecture's distance-running calendar.

Verified race-day programme

The opening ceremony begins at 09:15 Japan Standard Time. Official start times are:

• Half marathon: 09:45 JST. Assemble at the start between 09:10 and 09:30.
• 900 m wheelchair fun run: 09:55 JST, subject to an earlier start if the half-marathon situation requires it.
• 5 km road race: 10:10 JST. Assemble 09:55–10:05.
• 3 km road race: 10:13 JST.
• 1.3 km fun run: 10:16 JST, including individual and parent-and-child divisions.

The official programme also offers the 1.3 km fun run from JPY 1,500 for individuals or JPY 2,500 for a qualifying parent-child pair, and a JPY 1,500 wheelchair 900 m division with the permitted accompanying adult exempt from that fee. These shorter options do not have matching ARC distance filters, but they are legitimate parts of the event. The 3K and 5K school-age fee of JPY 1,500 is distinct from the JPY 2,500 adult price and is shown separately in ARC's registration categories. The half-marathon fee is JPY 6,000.

Half-marathon cut-offs and race rules

The half marathon has a 2 hour 40 minute maximum: runners must pass 11.7 km by 11:15, 17.8 km by 12:00 and the finish by 12:25. Entrants missing a checkpoint time must stop in accordance with officials' directions and may be taken aboard the collection bus. The organiser states the course passes through natural countryside with 5 km interval timing and participant tracking. The event also includes five refreshment stations with water and sports drinks; food is not provided as part of the on-course refreshments, so plan nutrition appropriately.

The 2026 edition does not have a Japan Athletics Federation certified half-marathon division. Check the published category eligibility and race instructions before relying on a result for a particular qualifying standard. Participants can enter only one event, and transfer or category changes after applying are prohibited.

Registration and collection arrangements

Registration closed on 20 September 2026 after an official extension. The original window opened on 1 July. The JPY 22,000 hometown-tax donation option for half-marathon entry closed earlier, on 31 August, and is not a current entry method. A place is confirmed only when the prescribed registration payment is completed; no late-entry opening has been confirmed.

Race bibs, timing chips, instructions and gift-collection vouchers are posted around mid-November, so the organiser does not require every runner to pick up a race bib on site. Present the mailed participant gift voucher at Kameoka Sports Park Gymnasium to collect the participant gift and programme on Saturday 12 December, 13:00–17:00 JST, or Sunday 13 December, 07:00–14:00 JST. The half-marathon finisher keepsake is provided after successful completion in exchange for the timing chip. Online finisher certificates are available.

Getting to the start and event facilities

Runners arriving from Kyoto can travel by JR to Kameoka Station. The organiser operates a free shuttle from the station's north exit and designated temporary car parks, with exact timetable and boarding arrangements to follow in participant instructions. There is no ordinary participant parking at the stadium; temporary parking is limited and must be reserved in advance. The sports park offers change areas, limited lockers and medical/first-aid support. Nearby Yunohana Onsen accommodation may suit runners staying overnight.

The organiser awards places to the top three finishers in eligible competitive divisions, excluding fun runs, and requires runners to return timing chips. The official 2026 race outline, entry rules and runner FAQ are the authoritative places to check for late notices, route changes and race-day instructions.