A Heartwarming, Handcrafted Marathon by Local Citizens
This event, which began in 1997, was Japan's first fully citizen-organized marathon. Known as the first marathon in Japan held entirely on a riverbed (riverside), it focuses more on the joy of finishing and the fun of casual participation than on competition. It is a heartfelt, community-driven event with a warm atmosphere created by local people — very different from typical large-scale city races. Participants will get to everyday life in Japan and feel the friendly, welcoming warmth of the people of Osaka.
The "Eco & Relaxing" Course Running Through the Nature of the Yodo River
The entire course runs along the open riverside paths of the Yodo River. Located surprisingly close to Osaka's urban center, it offers an excellent balance between city and nature. You can refresh both your body and mind while running in the comfortable late-autumn climate.
With the slogan "Every participant is part of the Yodo River Beautification Committee," the event encourages runners not to leave any litter behind. It is a clean, eco-conscious race where you can truly feel the Japanese spirit of caring for the environment.
Flat Course with Generous Time Limits—Perfect for Finishing or Setting a Personal Best!
The course mainly follows the wide, paved paths along the Yodo River and is almost completely flat, making it ideal for achieving a new personal best (PB). With generous time limits — 8 hours for the full marathon, 4 hours for the half marathon, and 2 hours for the 10km — this race welcomes everyone from beginners to experienced runners targeting sub-3 or sub-4.A special highlight of the full marathon is the rare opportunity to cross the Yodo River Large Weir (a 660-meter structure normally closed to the general public) twice.
A Race Perfectly Combined with Osaka Sightseeing
The venue, Yodogawa River Park, offers excellent access from central Osaka! It is just a 7-minute walk from Moriguchi Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and about a 15-minute walk from Keihan Moriguchi-shi Station. Of course, you can enjoy the race along with Osaka's famous gourmet specialties (takoyaki, okonomiyaki) and sightseeing spots like Osaka Castle. It's also close to JR Shin-Osaka Station, making day trips from Kyoto easy. A combined plan with sightseeing in Kyoto or Nara is highly recommended.
Special Guest: Olympic Gold Medalist Naoko Takahashi – Her encouragement is Extremely Popular Every Year!
Every year, the event welcomes Naoko Takahashi, women's marathon gold medalist from the Sydney Olympics, as a special guest. Many runners share how moved they were by her cheers and high-fives along the course. A high-five with an Olympic champion is truly a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
