Marathons in Nara

Nara has one marathon in our database in Japan, centred on Nara. Nara Marathon typically draws around 10,000 finishers. Browse the races below for course maps, elevation profiles, typical weather, and practical race-day detail to help you choose your next start line. Plan by month on our marathon calendar or filter by country and region.

Nara, Nara, Japan

Nara Marathon

The Nara Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 10k finishers each December on a historic urban road in Nara, Japan. It is one of Japan's most atmospheric history-rich marathons because the route runs beside so many heritage zones. The course passes temple precinct approaches, the Nara Park edge, and roads with glimpses of the ancient capital's hills. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Nearby Marathons

Other races closest to Nara.

Osaka, Osaka, Japan· 28 km away

Osaka Marathon

The Osaka Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 32k finishers on an urban road in Osaka, Japan. The course starts and finishes at Osaka Castle Park. The route passes Osaka Castle, Nakanoshima, Umeda, and Namba through central Osaka. Mostly flat with gentle undulations on bridge approaches over the city's rivers.

Next race: Sunday, 28 February 2027

Otsu, Shiga, Japan· 35 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· 38 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

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan· 57 km away

Kobe Marathon

The Kobe Marathon draws around 18,000 runners each November on a course that celebrates the port city's recovery and waterfront identity. The route crosses the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge area and follows Kobe's harbourfront with views of the Rokko mountains and Osaka Bay. Kobe's mild autumn climate and enthusiastic local crowds make it one of western Japan's most popular marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 15 November 2026

Matsusaka, Mie, Japan· 68 km away

Mie Matsusaka Marathon

The Mie Matsusaka Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers each December on an urban and rural road in Matsusaka, Japan. Local food culture is a major part of the race identity and post-race atmosphere. The route passes castle-town streets, open countryside, and roads linked to the city famous for Matsusaka beef. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026