The 23rd Ishigaki Island Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026, starting and finishing at the Ishigaki City Central Sports Park. Participants can expect typical January weather for Ishigaki, which is generally mild and pleasant with average temperatures ranging from 18°C to 22°C (64°F to 72°F), offering comfortable conditions for long-distance running. The event offers Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 km, and 10 km Relay categories, catering to a wide range of runners.
Event Schedule and Logistics
What are the dates for bib pickup and the race?
→Bib pickup: Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
→Race day: Sunday, January 18, 2026
Where is the bib pickup location?
→Ishigaki City General Gymnasium, Main Arena
Where does the race start and finish?
→Ishigaki City Central Sports Park
What is the schedule for the race day?
→7:35 AM: Participant assembly
→7:40 AM: Opening ceremony
→8:00 AM: Full Marathon start
→8:30 AM: 10 km and 10 km Relay start
→9:00 AM: Half Marathon start
→3:00 PM: Official race end
→11:00 AM – ~4:00 PM: Exchange party and prize draw
Race Distances and Categories
What distances are available for this event?
→Full Marathon (42.195 km)
→Half Marathon (21.6 km)
→10 km Individual
→10 km Relay
How is the 10 km Relay structured?
→5 runners per team, with each runner running 2 km
→Entry is limited to the first 50 teams
→Relay team types include:
• Middle school students only
• High school students only
• General teams (all others meeting eligibility)
Participant Eligibility
Who is eligible to participate?
→Open to all healthy individuals, regardless of nationality
→Minimum age requirements:
• Full, Half, and 10 km: 16 years or older
• 10 km Relay: middle school age and above
→Elementary school students and younger are not eligible for the relay
→Proxy runners are strictly prohibited
→Minors must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian
→Wheelchair participation is not permitted
→Runners requiring assistance due to disability may be accompanied by a guide (guide dogs are not allowed)
What declaration must participants agree to?
→Participants must read, agree to, and sign (or affix a seal to) the official declaration included in the entry form, confirming acceptance of personal responsibility.
Registration Fees
How much does registration cost for non-residents?
Full Marathon:
→General: ¥8,000
→U25 Students: ¥5,000
→High school students: ¥4,000
Half Marathon:
→General: ¥7,000
→U25 Students: ¥5,000
→High school students: ¥4,000
10 km:
→General: ¥7,000
→U25 Students: ¥5,000
→High school students: ¥4,000
10 km Relay:
→General teams: ¥20,000 per team
→Middle/high school teams: ¥15,000 per team
How much does registration cost for Ishigaki City residents?
Full Marathon:
→General: ¥7,000
→U25 Students: ¥4,000
→High school students: ¥3,000
Half Marathon:
→General: ¥6,000
→U25 Students: ¥4,000
→High school students: ¥3,000
10 km:
→General: ¥5,000
→U25 Students: ¥4,000
→High school students: ¥3,000
10 km Relay:
→General teams: ¥20,000 per team
→Middle/high school teams: ¥15,000 per team
Who qualifies as a U25 Student?
→Individuals who have completed high school and are under 25 years of age as of race day.
What is included in the entry fee?
→Official race bib
→Participant T-shirt
→Finisher medal
→Guides (for assisted runners) participate free of charge.
Time Limits and Rules
What are the time limits for the race?
Full Marathon:
→Total: 7 hours
→Midpoint (approx. 21.1 km): 3 hours 15 minutes
→35 km checkpoint: 5 hours 30 minutes
Half Marathon:
→Total: 4 hours
→15 km checkpoint: 2 hours 30 minutes
10 km and 10 km Relay:
→Total: 2 hours
What happens if I miss a checkpoint or exceed the time limit?
→Runners failing to meet checkpoint cutoffs or exceeding the overall time limit must stop and follow staff instructions.
What rules govern the competition?
→Governed by Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) regulations and additional event-specific agreements.
Awards and Recognition
What awards are given for overall performance?
→Overall Awards (by gender): 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in each individual race category
→Relay Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams
Are there age group awards?
→Age Group Awards (by gender): 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the following groups:
• Teens / 20s / 30s / 40s / 50s / 60s / 70 and over
→Age-group awards are mailed after the event (certificate and gift); no on-site ceremony is held.
What recognition do finishers receive?
→All finishers (within time limits) receive:
• A downloadable, printable web-based finisher certificate
• A commemorative finisher medal
→Relay team members: each runner receives both certificate and medal
→Guides receive only the web-based certificate (no medal)
