What is the Kochi Ryoma Marathon elevation profile?

The Kochi Ryoma 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 Kochi Ryoma Marathon?

The Kochi Ryoma Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Coastal course from Kochi City to the spring race venue near the coast.

What time does the Kochi Ryoma Marathon start?

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

Where does the Kochi Ryoma Marathon start and finish?

Starts in Kochi City and finishes at the spring race venue near the coast. Updated course maps are published at https://www.ryoma-marathon.jp/ each year.

When is the Kochi Ryoma Marathon and how do I register?

Kochi Ryoma Marathon is typically held in February. Registration opens through https://www.ryoma-marathon.jp/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.

Is the Kochi Ryoma Marathon course flat?

Yes. Kochi Ryoma 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 Kochi Ryoma Marathon?

Usually cool to mild with brighter winter sun and occasional ocean breeze.

Kochi Ryoma Marathon

Kochi, Kochi, Japan

Overview

The Kochi Ryoma Marathon draws approximately 8,000 finishers each February on a scenic coastal road in Kochi, Japan. The Ryoma branding gives the marathon a strong local-hero identity unique in Japan. The route passes the Kagami River, open Pacific-facing roads, and city sections tied to Sakamoto Ryoma's home prefecture. The Kagami River, open Pacific-facing roads, and Ryoma-linked city sections give Kochi's February marathon a strong local-hero identity on a largely flat coast.

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

Kochi Ryoma Marathon 2027 race day

The next Kochi Ryoma Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 7 February 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.

Kochi Ryoma Marathon course route

Starts in Kochi City and finishes at the spring race venue near the coast. The route passes the Kagami River, open Pacific-facing roads, and city sections tied to Sakamoto Ryoma's home prefecture. Mostly flat with gentle undulations. Very flat throughout.

Kochi Ryoma Marathon elevation profile

The Kochi Ryoma 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 Kochi Ryoma Marathon uses a lottery system through ryoma-marathon.jp and RUNNET, with applications typically accepted during a window that opens in August for the February race. The field of roughly 8k 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 Kochi Ryoma Marathon elevation profile?: The Kochi Ryoma 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 Kochi Ryoma Marathon?: The Kochi Ryoma Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Coastal course from Kochi City to the spring race venue near the coast.
What time does the Kochi Ryoma Marathon start?: The 2027 Kochi Ryoma Marathon starts at 9:00 am local time on Sunday, 7 February 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.ryoma-marathon.jp/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
Where does the Kochi Ryoma Marathon start and finish?: Starts in Kochi City and finishes at the spring race venue near the coast. Updated course maps are published at https://www.ryoma-marathon.jp/ each year.
When is the Kochi Ryoma Marathon and how do I register?: Kochi Ryoma Marathon is typically held in February. Registration opens through https://www.ryoma-marathon.jp/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Is the Kochi Ryoma Marathon course flat?: Yes. Kochi Ryoma Marathon is known for a largely flat profile with only minor undulations, making it popular with runners chasing steady pacing.
What landmarks does the Kochi Ryoma Marathon pass?: The route passes the Kagami River, open Pacific-facing roads, and city sections tied to Sakamoto Ryoma's home prefecture.
What weather should runners expect at Kochi Ryoma Marathon?: Usually cool to mild with brighter winter sun and occasional ocean breeze.

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

Nearby Marathons

Other races closest to Kochi.

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan· 78 km away

Ehime Marathon

The Ehime Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each February on an urban road in Matsuyama, Japan. Strong local support has made it one of Japan's most beloved regional marathons. The route passes Matsuyama Castle viewpoints, tram-lined streets, and residential roads in Shikoku's largest city. Between Matsuyama Castle viewpoints and Shikoku's tram-lined streets, steady rollers test legs across the island's largest city each February.

Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027

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Tokushima Marathon

The Tokushima Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each March on a river road in Tokushima, Japan. Its levee-road profile makes it one of Japan's steadier pacing courses. The course passes Shinmachi River areas, wide embankment roads, and open views toward the surrounding low mountains. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

Okayama, Okayama, Japan· 128 km away

Okayama Marathon

The Okayama Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k finishers each November on an urban road in Okayama, Japan. Its rapid growth turned it into western Honshu's marquee autumn citizen marathon. The route passes Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden approaches, and broad streets along the Asahi River. Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden approaches, and broad Asahi River streets make western Honshu's marquee autumn citizen marathon a largely flat city loop.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Kamitonda, Wakayama, Japan· 177 km away

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The Kishu Kuchikumano Marathon draws approximately 4,500 finishers each February on a rural road in Kamitonda, Japan. It is the established full marathon of Wakayama's Kumano gateway region and has a long history of large local support. The route passes Kumano foothill roads, farm villages, and open Wakayama valley scenery. Kumano foothill roads and open Wakayama valley scenery climb steadily through farm villages on this gateway route to sacred mountain country.

Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027

Hofu, Yamaguchi, Japan· 190 km away

Hofu Yomiuri Marathon

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.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

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