Race Categories
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Tendo-grown La France pear set - Official event T-shirt
- Tendo-grown La France pear set
- Official event T-shirt
- Tendo-grown La France pear set
- Official event T-shirt
Event Detail
Tendo La France Marathon 2026 brings a distinctive orchard-country running festival to Yamagata Prefecture on Sunday 1 November. Organised by Tendo City, the event combines a competitive half marathon with shorter community races at ND Soft Stadium Yamagata in Yamagata Prefectural General Sports Park. The programme has a published capacity of 5,000 runners across its distances.
Course and atmosphere
The half marathon heads out from the stadium through Tendo's countryside and fruit-growing areas, with local La France pears central to the event's identity. The organisers promote generous opportunities to enjoy fresh pears and a serving of imoni, Yamagata's traditional taro-root stew. This is as much an introduction to Tendo's food and hospitality as it is a road-running event. The 5K fun run and 3K smile run offer shorter alternatives; the 3K programme includes school-age runners and family teams.
Race-day planning
The 3K starts at 8:45 am, the half marathon at 9:25 am, and the 5K at 9:45 am, all Japan Standard Time. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 8:00 am. The half-marathon cut-off is three hours, with intermediate cut-offs. The 5K has a 50-minute limit and the 3K has a 30-minute limit. Both the start and finish are at ND Soft Stadium Yamagata.
There is no race-day registration desk: race numbers and timing chips are sent to registered runners in advance, and participants must bring them on the day. Free baggage storage is listed. A free running clinic and guest talk are scheduled at Tendo City Comprehensive Welfare Centre on 31 October, with places limited to 200 registered participants.
Entry and visiting
The official registration service now lists entries closed; the published entry window was 1 June to 1 September 2026, subject to earlier closure once categories filled. Do not travel expecting an on-the-day entry. Check the organiser's latest access and parking advice before setting off. Runners staying longer can explore Tendo's hot springs, fruit farms and nearby Yamadera.
Race Pack Information
No on-site race pack pickup or race-day registration. Race numbers and timing chips are mailed to registered participants in advance, approximately two weeks before the event. Bring the mailed items on race day.
What's Included
- Tendo-grown La France pear set
- Official event T-shirt
- All-you-can-eat La France pears after finishing
- Yamagata-style imoni stew after finishing
- Finishers' online result certificate
Prizes
Awards and prizes for overall top 1st-3rd and age-group top 1st-6th in each eligible category (men and women; family category excluded). Award prizes are La France pears by placement: 1st place Super La France 3 kg, 2nd place Super La France 1.5 kg, 3rd place Tokushu L La France 1.5 kg; 4th-6th receive certificates. Exact 2026 prize wording should be confirmed against the current event programme.