Osaka 30K Winter 2027

Osaka 30K Winter 2027 takes place on Saturday 9 January beside the Yodogawa River, giving runners a supported opportunity to build race fitness before Japan's late-winter and spring marathon season. Part of the established Runners 30K Series, the event focuses on pacing and endurance rather than podium positions. There are 1,100 entry places and a single 30 km race distance.

The course

Runners start and finish at the Nishinakajima-area baseball grounds in Yodogawa Riverside Park, Osaka's Yodogawa Ward. The course uses the riverside park paths, running approximately 5 km towards the Toyosato district before turning back. The largely flat out-and-back layout makes it practical for checking even pacing, fuelling and hydration under race-day conditions. It is not a fully closed course: cyclists and pedestrians may also use the riverside path, so take care at bends, passing points and aid stations.

Wave starts begin at 9:00 am, organised by participants' declared target times, and the course closes at 1:00 pm. The four-hour completion requirement applies to adults aged 18 or older; high-school students may not enter. Official pacers are planned for marathon-equivalent finishing targets of 2:50 and then every 15 minutes from 3:00 to 5:30, subject to participant demand. For runners preparing for a full marathon, these groups offer a useful way to practise sustainable pacing without running the entire marathon distance.

Support and race-day details

The organiser plans hydration points around the course, including water and sports drinks, alongside Amino Vital nutrition support before, during and after running. There is a baggage-drop facility, but valuables cannot be left with organisers. Finishers can access a web-based completion certificate. As a training-oriented event, there is no podium award or complimentary participation gift. Optional preparatory online running activities and post-race educational content form part of the wider series, subject to the organiser's programme.

The venue opens at 7:30 am. Standard entrants are expected to receive their bibs by post around late December 2026, with no separate race-day collection required for that group. Late and last-minute entrants collect bibs at the race venue. Standard registration runs 22 September to 30 November 2026; late entry covers 1 to 20 December; last-minute entry runs from 21 December to 9 January 2027 if places remain. The last-minute entry channel has a limited allocation and may sell out early. Processing fees may apply in addition to the race entry fee.

Travelling to the start

Nishinakajima-Minamigata Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Minamikata Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line are each around a five-minute walk from the venue; JR Shin-Osaka is approximately 20 minutes away on foot. Allow time for changing and warming up in cool January weather, and review the final organiser guidance before travelling.