2026 Ohme Marathon
The 2026 Ohme Marathon will take place on February 15, 2026, in Ōme City, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. The event will feature two primary road courses on paved public roads, winding through Ōme City and the neighboring Okutama Town. The 30 km course begins near Ōme City Hall, travels westward through residential and rural areas, and returns to the city center, while the 10 km course remains within Ōme City, offering a more urban route. The marathon is known for its community engagement, with large crowds of spectators lining the streets. On this date, the weather in Ōme is expected to be cool, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 12°C and mostly clear skies, providing favorable conditions for runners.
What distances are available for this event?
- →30 km race
- →10 km race
- →Junior road races for elementary and junior high school students
What is the course description for the 30 km race?
The 30 km course starts near Ōme City Hall and proceeds westward through Mizuho-chō and Murayama-chō, reaching a turnaround point near Sunagawa/Kotohira in Okutama Town. The route then returns eastward to finish in front of Ōme City General Gymnasium. The course traverses rolling terrain in the Tama River valley foothills, with modest elevation changes but no severe climbs.
What is the course description for the 10 km race?
The 10 km course starts near Ōme City Hall, heads west to a turnaround point in the Furusato/Asahi area, and returns to finish in front of Ōme City Hall. This route remains entirely within Ōme City's urban and suburban zones.
What is the significance of the Ome Marathon?
The Ome Marathon was founded in 1967 by the Ōme City Athletics Association and Hochi Shimbun newspaper. It pioneered Japan's citizen running movement and has implemented several innovations, including rolling starts, video finish systems, and bibs with runner names. The event has maintained continuous operation, with only a few cancellations due to heavy snowfall. It holds AAA Permit status from the Asian Athletics Federation and has sister marathon relationships with international events.
What are the recent highlights of the Ome Marathon?
The 57th edition of the Ome Marathon, held on February 16, 2025, had 14,100 participants. The men’s 30 km winner was Arao Mie with a time of 1:30:50, and the women’s winner was Moe Shimizu with a time of 1:45:32. The 56th edition, held on February 18, 2024, had 13,236 finishers. The men’s winner was Akira Akasaki with a time of 1:29:46, the fastest Japanese time ever recorded at the event, and the women’s winner was Mao Ichiyama with a time of 1:45:21.
What is the historical significance of the event?
The Ome Marathon was among the first Japanese road races to implement rolling starts in 1976, video finish systems in 1978, and bibs with runner names in 1988. It was founded with the motto "run with Tsuburaya," honoring Olympic bronze medalist Kokichi Tsuburaya. The event has maintained continuous operation, with only a few cancellations due to heavy snowfall.
What type of event is the Ome Marathon?
The Ome Marathon is a road running event on paved roads through suburban and rural landscapes. It is not a trail or mixed-terrain event.
What is the venue city for the event?
The event takes place in Ōme City, located in the Tokyo Metropolis, Japan.
What types of categories are available for participation?
The event includes a main competitive division for the 30 km race, a citizen runner division for the 10 km race, and junior road races for elementary and junior high school students.
Are there any notable features of the event?
The event is known for strong community support, with tens of thousands of local spectators lining the roads, particularly during milestone editions. Both courses are certified road race routes with chip timing.
What is the expected weather for the event date?
On February 15, 2026, the weather in Ōme is expected to be cool, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 12°C and mostly clear skies.