The Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is one of the Kyushu marathons still taking entries this autumn. It has an 8-hour time limit and a shorter fun run. Entries close on October 18, or earlier if the places fill up.
In short
- The 44th Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon (いぶすき菜の花マラソン) is on Sunday, January 10, 2027. The full marathon starts at 9:00.
- Entries close on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Both races are first come, first served, so they close early if they fill up.
- The race has an English website. Its English entry page sends you to Run Japan, an English entry site.
- Full marathon ¥11,000 (10,000 places); fun run ¥6,000 (1,000 places).
Checked with official pages on September 28, 2026.
1. Which races are there?
Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon Organizing Committee
The full marathon (42.195 km) is on a course certified by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, with a time limit of 8 hours and cut-off points. The fun run is 12.05 km on the Lake Ikeda course, with a time limit of 120 minutes and no timing or awards.
For the full marathon, the Japanese rules say you must be 19 or older, and anyone born on or before April 1, 2008 may enter. The fun run is for people of high school age and older who can finish in 120 minutes. Runners not registered with the athletics federation enter the general category.
2. How do I enter?
Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon Organizing Committee
The race’s English entry page links to Run Japan’s page for the race (English), which shows the entry period as August 1 to October 18, 2026, 23:59.
The Japanese entry page lists more ways to enter: RUNNET (Japanese), Sports Entry (Japanese) and JTB Sports (Japanese), all until October 18, plus phone and fax. RUNNET and JTB Sports charge an entry fee on top of the race fee, and payment is by card or at a convenience store.
- Choose one entry site. Do not enter twice.
- Enter and pay by October 18. The places may run out before that date.
- Wait for your race number. The organizers post race numbers to runners before the race.
Important
The Japanese page says the entry fee is not refunded if you do not run. Postal transfer entries already closed on September 18.
3. Where is it, and who do I ask?
Venue
The start and the full marathon finish are around the Ibusuki City Athletics Stadium. Run Japan’s page says the venue is 10 minutes from JR Ibusuki Station, and that paid temporary buses run from the afternoon before the race. Parking is limited, and the organizers ask runners to use public transport.
Ibusuki City General Gymnasium (指宿総合体育館), where race check-in is held: 12000 Higashikata, Ibusuki City. Google Maps. Organizing committee office (weekdays 9:00 to 17:00): 0993-22-2550. Neither site says whether the office can answer in English.
Other Kyushu marathons still taking entries are in Saga Sakura Marathon 2027 and Kagoshima Marathon 2027. Our Japanese list of Kyushu marathons has all 11 races.
