2025 Mie Matsusaka Marathon

The 2025 Mie Matsusaka Marathon will take place on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, with the start and finish lines strategically located around Matsusaka City, Japan – specifically in front of the Kuragi Culture Hall and at the Matsusaka City Sports Park respectively. Historical weather data for Matsusaka in late December indicates average temperatures ranging from 5°C to 12°C (41°F to 54°F), with a possibility of light rain or overcast conditions. Participants can anticipate a well-organized event featuring a full marathon, a 5km fun run, and a 7km health walk, catering to a wide range of fitness levels. The event will proceed as scheduled regardless of weather, with appropriate safety measures in place.

Event Overview

What is the overall format of the Mie Matsusaka Marathon 2025?

The event consists of three sections: a 42.195km Marathon, a 5km Fun Run, and a 7km Health Walk. All events will be held on Sunday, December 21st, 2025. The marathon and health walk start at 9:00 AM, while the fun run begins at 10:00 AM.

Who is hosting and co-organizing the event?

The event is hosted by the Mie Matsusaka Marathon Executive Committee and co-organized by Matsusaka City, Matsusaka City Board of Education, Mie Athletics Association, Chunichi Shimbun, and Mie Prefecture.

Are there any featured guests attending the event?

Yes, Toru Seko, Project Leader of the Japan Athletics Federation Marathon Enhancement Strategy Project and DeNA Athletics Elite Advisor, and Mizuki Noguchi, Olympic gold medalist for the Athens Olympic marathon (from Mie Prefecture), will be featured guests.

Events and Courses

What distances are available for this event?

• →Marathon: 42.195 km
• →Fun Run: 5 km
• →Health Walk: 7 km

Where do the marathon, fun run, and health walk start and finish?

• →Marathon: Starts in front of the Kuragi Culture Hall and finishes at Matsusaka City Sports Park.
• →Fun Run: Both starts and finishes at Matsusaka City Sports Park.
• →Health Walk: Starts at Matsusaka Station (South Exit) and finishes at Matsusaka City Sports Park.

What are the time limits for each event?

• →Marathon: 7 hours
• →Fun Run: 50 minutes
• →Health Walk: 3 hours

Participation Categories & Entry Fees

What participation categories are available for the Marathon?

• →Registration Section: For Japan Athletics Federation Registered Athletes (FY2025).
• →General Section: For unregistered runners.

What are the entry fees for the Marathon, and how do they vary?

• →Mie Prefecture People Priority Entry (3,000 people): 12,900 yen
• →Entry with Accommodation (~200 people): 12,900 yen + Accommodation fee
• →Hometown Tax Payment Entry (500 people): 44,000 yen (includes entry fee)
• →General Entry (6,300 people): 12,900 yen

What are the entry fees for the Fun Run?

• →General Entry: 4,000 yen
• →High School & Junior High School Students: 3,000 yen

What are the entry fees for the Health Walk?

• →General Entry: 2,000 yen
• →Junior High School Students and Younger: 1,000 yen

Is there an additional fee beyond the entry fee?

Yes, a separate application fee (6.0% tax included) will be charged on the total entry amount, except for Hometown Tax entries where the donation already includes this fee.

Participation Qualifications

What are the qualifications for participating in the Marathon (Registration Section)?

Participants must be registered athletes with the Japan Athletics Federation in FY2025, be 18 years or older (excluding high school students), and be capable of finishing within the 7-hour time limit.

What are the qualifications for participating in the Marathon (General Section)?

Participants must be capable of finishing within the 7-hour time limit and be at least 18 years old (excluding high school students).

What are the qualifications for participating in the Fun Run?

Participants must be junior high school students or older and capable of finishing within the 50-minute time limit.

What are the qualifications for participating in the Health Walk?

Participants must be able to complete the 7km walk within the 3-hour time limit. Elementary school students and preschoolers must be accompanied by a guardian.

Are there any restrictions regarding wheelchairs or assistance for runners with disabilities?

Wheelchairs are not permitted. Runners with disabilities may have one accompanying runner in the Fun Run or two in the Marathon (self-arranged). Guide dogs are not permitted.

Race Day Schedule

What time do the events start on race day?

• →Marathon and Health Walk: 9:00 AM
• →Fun Run: 10:00 AM
• →Health Walk Flexible Start: Between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

Time Limits & Course Gates (Marathon)

How many checkpoints ("Kanmon") are there on the marathon course, and what are their closing times?

There are 7 checkpoints with the following closing times:

• →Gate 1 (7.0km): 10:25 AM
• →Gate 2 (12.0km): 11:10 AM
• →Gate 3 (16.5km): 11:55 AM
• →Gate 4 (24.0km): 1:10 PM
• →Gate 5 (30.0km): 2:05 PM
• →Gate 6 (34.7km): 2:48 PM
• →Gate 7 (40.0km): 3:38 PM
• →Finish (42.195km): 4:00 PM

What happens if a marathon runner fails to reach a checkpoint in time?

Runners failing to reach a gate in time must stop and board the provided "Certification Bus."

Participant Goods & Awards

What participation goods are provided?

• →Marathon: Commemorative T-shirt
• →Fun Run & Health Walk: Original event towel. Health Walk participants also receive cheering goods.
• →All Finishers at Venue: Matsusaka Yokocho Omotenashi ticket (500 yen value).

What finisher items are provided for the Marathon?

Finishers who complete the marathon within the 7-hour time limit will receive a finisher medal and a finisher towel.

Are there awards for the Marathon and Fun Run?

Yes, there are overall awards for the top 8 finishers (Men and Women) in both the Marathon and Fun Run (based on gun time). There are also age category awards for the top 3 finishers (Men and Women) per age group (based on net time).

What special awards are available for the Marathon?

Special awards include the Japan Record Award (Matsusaka beef), the Mie Governor's Award, and the Matsusaka Mayor's Award.

Are there awards for the Health Walk?

No, there are no awards for the Health Walk.

What types of certificates are available?

• →General Marathon/Fun Run: Web completion certificate with net time (downloadable).
• →Registered Athlete Marathon: Official record certificate (gross time) mailed later (500 yen fee, apply at entry).
• →Health Walk: Completion certificate issued.

Facilities & Services

Is baggage storage available?

• →Marathon: Baggage storage is available at the start venue for one bag per participant. Suitcases and valuables are not permitted.
• →Fun Run: Baggage storage is available at the finish venue (one bag per person).
• →Health Walk: No baggage storage is available.

Are changing rooms available?

Changing rooms are available at the finish venue only.

What provisions are available on the course?

• →Marathon: 16 aid stations on the course (first at 5km, then approximately every 2.5km).
• →Fun Run: One aid station at approximately the 4km point.
• →Health Walk: No provisions are provided; participants must carry their own.

Important Rules & Prohibitions

Are there any restrictions on clothing or costumes?

Prohibited for registered athletes. All participants are prohibited from wearing unsafe, obscene, political/religious, or unauthorized advertising attire.

How should the race bib be worn?

The bib must be worn visibly on the front of the participant's clothing. Safety pins are not provided.

Are entry transfers permitted?

Entry transfers are strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification and a potential ban from future events.

Can I make changes to my entry details or request a refund?

No changes to entry details or category are permitted. No refunds will be issued for cancellation or no-show.

Is it mandatory to stay on the official marked course?

Yes, participants must stay on the official marked course at all times.