What is the Fukui Sakura Marathon elevation profile?

The Fukui Sakura Marathon has 100 metres of total climbing and 95 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is mostly flat with gentle undulations, with 5 metres of net climb from start to finish.

How long is the Fukui Sakura Marathon?

The Fukui Sakura Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes in central Fukui.

What time does the Fukui Sakura Marathon start?

The 2027 Fukui Sakura Marathon starts at 9:00 am local time on Sunday, 7 March 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.fukui-sakura-marathon.jp/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.

Where does the Fukui Sakura Marathon start and finish?

Starts and finishes in central Fukui. Updated course maps are published at https://www.fukui-sakura-marathon.jp/ each year.

When is the Fukui Sakura Marathon and how do I register?

Fukui Sakura Marathon is typically held in March. Registration opens through https://www.fukui-sakura-marathon.jp/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.

Is the Fukui Sakura Marathon course flat?

Yes. Fukui Sakura Marathon is known for a largely flat profile with only minor undulations, making it popular with runners chasing steady pacing.

What weather should runners expect at Fukui Sakura Marathon?

Typically cool with possible blossom-season breezes and bright spring weather.

Fukui Sakura Marathon

Fukui, Fukui, Japan

Overview

The Fukui Sakura Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each March on an urban road in Fukui, Japan. The event was launched to showcase Fukui during cherry-blossom time and immediately drew a large field. The course passes castle ruins, river sections, and streets that line up with the city's sakura season. Castle ruins, river sections, and sakura-lined March streets showcase Fukui during cherry-blossom season on a course that stays largely level.

Fukui Sakura Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.

Fukui Sakura Marathon 2027 race day

The next Fukui Sakura Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 7 March 2027 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 100 m of climbing on a mostly flat with gentle undulations layout.

Fukui Sakura Marathon course route

Starts and finishes in central Fukui. The course passes castle ruins, river sections, and streets that line up with the city's sakura season. Mostly flat with gentle undulations. Very flat throughout.

Fukui Sakura Marathon elevation profile

The Fukui Sakura Marathon course is mostly flat with gentle undulations over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 100 metres of climbing and 95 metres of descent, with a net climb of 5 metres from start to finish.

Entry requirements

The Fukui Sakura Marathon uses a lottery system through fukui-sakura-marathon.jp and RUNNET, with applications typically accepted during a window that opens in September for the March race. The field of roughly 12k runners is capped and domestic demand through RUNNET makes lottery acceptance uncertain. International runners can apply through Run Japan or official travel packages when general lottery entry is oversubscribed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Fukui Sakura Marathon elevation profile?: The Fukui Sakura Marathon has 100 metres of total climbing and 95 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is mostly flat with gentle undulations, with 5 metres of net climb from start to finish.
How long is the Fukui Sakura Marathon?: The Fukui Sakura Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes in central Fukui.
What time does the Fukui Sakura Marathon start?: The 2027 Fukui Sakura Marathon starts at 9:00 am local time on Sunday, 7 March 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.fukui-sakura-marathon.jp/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
Where does the Fukui Sakura Marathon start and finish?: Starts and finishes in central Fukui. Updated course maps are published at https://www.fukui-sakura-marathon.jp/ each year.
When is the Fukui Sakura Marathon and how do I register?: Fukui Sakura Marathon is typically held in March. Registration opens through https://www.fukui-sakura-marathon.jp/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Is the Fukui Sakura Marathon course flat?: Yes. Fukui Sakura Marathon is known for a largely flat profile with only minor undulations, making it popular with runners chasing steady pacing.
What landmarks does the Fukui Sakura Marathon pass?: The course passes castle ruins, river sections, and streets that line up with the city's sakura season.
What weather should runners expect at Fukui Sakura Marathon?: Typically cool with possible blossom-season breezes and bright spring weather.

Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.

Nearby Marathons

Other races closest to Fukui.

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan· 69 km away

Kanazawa Marathon

The Kanazawa Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k finishers each October on a historic urban road in Kanazawa, Japan. The race is especially known for blending modern boulevards with preserved samurai-era city scenery. The course passes Kenrokuen approaches, Kanazawa Castle Park, and traditional districts near the Asano and Sai rivers. Samurai-era districts and river crossings give way to steady climbs between Kenrokuen approaches and the castle park above downtown Kanazawa.

Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Toyama, Toyama, Japan· 114 km away

Toyama Marathon

The Toyama Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 13k finishers each November on a bay-to-city road in Toyama, Japan. Clear-weather views of the Northern Alps are the signature visual payoff of the race. The route passes Toyama Bay views, river crossings, and long roads with the Tateyama mountain range as a backdrop. Toyama Bay views, river crossings, and long roads with the Tateyama range as backdrop reward runners on a bay-to-city course with subtle grade changes.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan· 116 km away

Nagoya Women's Marathon

The Nagoya Women's Marathon is the world's largest women-only marathon, with nearly 20,000 female finishers each March. Every finisher receives a Tiffany & Co. pendant at the finish — a tradition that has made Nagoya a bucket-list race for women worldwide. The flat urban course runs through central Nagoya past Nagoya Castle and the Sakae district, and the race weekend atmosphere centres entirely on celebrating women's running.

Next race: Sunday, 14 March 2027

Otsu, Shiga, Japan· 123 km away

Biwako Marathon

The Biwako Marathon is one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious marathons, drawing approximately 5,367 finishers each March around Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. The course follows Japan's largest lake with views of the Hira mountains and the Otsu waterfront. March's cool Kansai spring and flat lakeside paths make it a favourite tune-up before the Tokyo Marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan· 124 km away

Kyoto Marathon

The Kyoto Marathon brings roughly 17,000 runners through Japan's ancient capital each February. The course links UNESCO-listed temples, the Kamo River, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace with views of forested hills on the city's eastern edge. Kyoto's cultural landmarks and spring-adjacent race date make it one of Japan's most scenic urban marathons despite a largely flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 21 February 2027

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