Next race
Sunday, 6 December 2026
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
The Hofu Yomiuri Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each December on an urban road in Hofu, Japan. It has long been respected in Japan as a serious late-year performance marathon. The route passes wide Yamaguchi plain roads, shrine-town approaches, and efficient straight sections designed for speed. The course is very flat throughout.
Hofu Yomiuri Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 1,200 finishers
Course & terrain
Starts and finishes in Hofu's central race district. The route passes wide Yamaguchi plain roads, shrine-town approaches, and efficient straight sections designed for speed. Very flat throughout. Very flat throughout.
The Hofu Yomiuri Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
Registration
The Hofu Yomiuri Marathon uses a lottery system through hofu-yomiuri.jp and RUNNET, with applications typically accepted during a window that opens in July for the December race. The capped field attracts steady domestic demand and lottery acceptance is not guaranteed. International runners can apply through Run Japan or official travel packages when general lottery entry is oversubscribed.
Getting there
Ube (UBJ)
Yamaguchi Ube Airport
30 km / 18 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Hofu.
The Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon draws approximately 9,000 finishers each November on a harbor road in Shimonoseki, Japan. The narrow strait setting gives the race a dramatic maritime character from start to finish. The course passes Kanmon Strait waterfronts, fishing-port districts, and repeated sea views toward Kitakyushu. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
