Overview
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.
Nagoya Women's Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Nagoya Women's Marathon 2027 race day
The next Nagoya Women's Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 14 March 2027 with a 9:10 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 50 m of climbing on a very flat layout.
Nagoya Women's Marathon course route
The Nagoya Women's Marathon is a flat city loop starting near Nagoya Dome and finishing at VERSA Nagoya in Tsurumai Park, passing Nagoya Castle, Sakae, and Hisaya-Ōdori Park. The grid-like city streets make many miles easy to pace evenly, while the long uninterrupted urban straights are the tougher challenge; crowds are strongest near Nagoya Dome, around Nagoya Castle and Sakae, and at the Tsurumai Park finish.
Nagoya Women's Marathon elevation profile
The Nagoya Women's Marathon course is very 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.
Entry requirements
For the Nagoya Women's Marathon, registration opens through https://www.nagoya-womens-marathon.com/ and fills quickly due to international demand for the Tiffany finisher award. Overseas runners can apply through designated tour operators or the general entry window when announced.
Nagoya Women's Marathon course video
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Marathon course at Nagoya Women's Marathon
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Nagoya Women's Marathon elevation profile?
- The Nagoya Women's Marathon has 50 metres of total climbing and 50 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is very flat, with 0 metres of net change from start to finish.
- How long is the Nagoya Women's Marathon?
- The Nagoya Women's Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Women-only urban road starts near Nagoya Dome in the north of the city and finishes at VERSA Nagoya (the former Nagoya City Athletics Stadium) in Tsurumai Park.
- Is the Nagoya Women's Marathon flat?
- Yes. The Nagoya Women's Marathon is very flat with 50 metres of total climbing over 42.195 km (26.2 miles) — a profile that suits runners chasing personal bests or Boston qualifying times.
- What time does the Nagoya Women's Marathon start?
- The 2027 Nagoya Women's Marathon starts at 9:10 am local time on Sunday, 14 March 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.nagoya-womens-marathon.com/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
- Is the Nagoya Women's Marathon open to men?
- No. The Nagoya Women's Marathon is a women-only event — one of the few major marathons in the world restricted to female entrants. Men may participate in companion events on other weekends, but the full marathon field is exclusively women.
- What is the Tiffany finisher pendant tradition?
- Every woman who completes the Nagoya Women's Marathon receives a Tiffany & Co. pendant presented at the finish line. The pendant design changes each year and has become one of the most sought-after finisher awards in global marathon running.
- Where does the Nagoya Women's Marathon start and finish?
- The race starts near Nagoya Dome and finishes at VERSA Nagoya in Tsurumai Park. The flat loop passes Nagoya Castle, Sakae, and Hisaya-Ōdori Park. Course maps are published at https://www.nagoya-womens-marathon.com/.
- How do I register for the Nagoya Women's Marathon?
- Registration opens through https://www.nagoya-womens-marathon.com/ and fills quickly due to international demand for the Tiffany finisher award. Overseas runners can apply through designated tour operators or the general entry window when announced.
- Is the Nagoya Women's Marathon course good for personal bests?
- Yes. The flat urban loop through Nagoya with minimal climbing makes it one of Japan's faster marathon courses. Cool March mornings and a women-only competitive field add to its appeal for time-focused runners.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
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