Choosing between Lagos City Marathon and Tokyo Marathon? This page puts the essentials side by side — next race date, elevation, typical weather, field size, and entry difficulty — with a short overview of each course below.
The headline differences between both races. Follow each marathon link for the full route map, elevation chart, and entry details.
| Detail | Lagos City Marathon | Tokyo Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Saturday, 13 February 2027 at 6:30 am | Sunday, 7 March 2027 at 9:10 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 11m above sea level. ↑ 50 m · ↓ 50 m · net 0 m | Very flat - approx. 44m above sea level. ↑ 60 m · ↓ 98 m · net −38 m |
| Typical weather | Hot and humid winter | Cool to mild spring |
| Typical participants | Approximately 30k finishers | Approximately 38k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Easy | Very competitive |
The Lagos City Marathon is West Africa's largest marathon, drawing approximately 30k starters each February through Nigeria's commercial capital. The out-and-back course links the National Theatre, Victoria Island, and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge with views across Lagos Lagoon. February's dry-season heat and flat terrain make it a bold early-year challenge in one of Africa's most energetic cities.
The Tokyo Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, drawing over 38,000 runners through the heart of Japan's capital. The course showcases iconic landmarks including the Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, and Ginza district before finishing near Tokyo Station. Known for exceptional organisation and enthusiastic crowd support, it is a bucket-list race for international runners.
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