Osaka Marathon
Osaka, Japan · Last Sunday of February
Japan's second-biggest marathon and a genuinely quick one: flat city streets, immaculate organisation, and cold late-winter air. A short rise around the 33 km mark is the only feature that needs respecting.
Course
Elevation gain
85 m
Net elevation
Flat
Finishers
~32,000
Month
February
Last Sunday of February
Race-day weather
Median start temp
6°C
Historical range
2–12°C
Hot-year risk
Low
Late February in Kansai is reliably cold and dry — heat is essentially never a factor.
Getting in
Lottery. Lottery entry, though far better odds than Tokyo — the smart plan-B for a fast Japanese marathon. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Osaka Marathon
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Osaka Marathon a fast course?
Yes, it is a fast course by big-marathon standards. The course has 85 m of total elevation gain and no net drop. We rate it 8/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Osaka Marathon?
The median start-line temperature is around 6°C, with a historical range of roughly 2–12°C. Late February in Kansai is reliably cold and dry — heat is essentially never a factor.
How do you get into the Osaka Marathon?
Lottery. Lottery entry, though far better odds than Tokyo — the smart plan-B for a fast Japanese marathon.
Is the Osaka Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Osaka Marathon is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times.