Sunday November 19th, 2023
Kobe, Japan
Distance: Marathon
Offical Race Web Site
Do you know the first marathon competition in Japan was held here in Kobe? In other words, Kobe is the birthplace of marathon in Japan!
The first marathon in Japan took place in 1909, in Meiji period. Since the 42.195 km standard distance had not been fixed yet, the race was approximately 32 km long. (By the way, the standard distance for the marathon was set in 1921, directly from the length used in 1908, at the Summer Olympics in London.)
The Kobe Marathon is a competitive and fun marathon race. Approximately 20,000 people gather from all over the country and overseas to participate, and they run through the city, enjoying the air and sights of Kobe.
| Division | Time | Name | Age | Home |
| Male | 2:11:19 | KIPKOECH Barnabas | KENYA | |
| 2nd Male | 2:12:05 | VINCENT Tim | AUSTRALIA | |
| 3rd Male | 2:13:06 | TORISS Hassan | MOROCCO | |
| 4th Male | 2:13:38 | DARDAR Ayoub | MOROCCO | |
| Female | 2:33:04 | HORIE Misato | JAPAN | |
| 2nd Female | 2:34:04 | YAMAGUCHI Haruka | JAPAN | |
| 3rd Female | 2:40:21 | YOKOTA Ayumi | JAPAN | |
| 4th Female | 2:43:23 | MISHIMA Makiko | JAPAN |
| Division | Time | Name | Age | Home |
It starts in front of city hall, where the stone monument commemorating the Japan's first marathon in Kobe stands, and the course passes between the gorgeous Rokko Mountains and the shining Seto Inland Sea.
This is a full marathon with a maximum run time of 7 hours. The course is mostly on level ground, and it's possible even for beginners to complete the run. Crowds of well-wishers line the entire course to cheer the runners on, reflecting the marathon's theme of "Thanks & Friendship".
