Fukuoka International Marathon 2026: December 6 at 12:10, Road Closure Times and Where to Cheer

開催前（12/6(日)から）

日時12/6(日)

The Fukuoka International Marathon 2026 starts on Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 12:10 from Heiwadai Athletic Stadium and Ohori Park. It is a race for men who meet the record qualification and invited runners, so the general public cannot run, but you can cheer along the course and in the stands of Heiwadai Athletic Stadium. Traffic is restricted on the course from 12:00 to about 15:00, and the times differ by intersection.

In short

Start: Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 12:10, from Heiwadai Athletic Stadium (Group A) and Ohori Park (Group B). The finish is at Heiwadai Athletic Stadium.
Road closures: from 12:00 to about 15:00, with times set per intersection. Three sections are fully closed, including to oncoming traffic.
Spectators can watch along the course or from the stands at Heiwadai Athletic Stadium.
Live on TV from 12:00 to 14:26 on the 24-station TV Asahi network.

Checked with official pages on October 27, 2026 (Japan time).

1. The Fukuoka International Marathon 2026 course and who can enter

The course is 42.195 km, going from Heiwadai Athletic Stadium and Ohori Park around the south-west of Fukuoka City, turning at Kashii, and returning to Heiwadai Athletic Stadium. It is a men’s G1 race in the MGC Series 2026-27 and also serves as a selection race for the Japan team for the 2027 World Championships (Beijing) and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Runners are men born on or before December 6, 2007 who hold an official record of 2:35:00 or better in the marathon, 1:45:00 or better in a 30 km road race, or 1:10:00 or better in the half marathon, plus runners invited or recommended by the organizers, about 500 in all. Entries closed on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 17:00. The invited and recommended runners and the top 100 or so by qualifying record are in Group A (starting at Heiwadai Athletic Stadium), and the other 400 or so are in Group B (starting at Ohori Park). Race guidelines on the official site (Japanese)

2. Road closure times and sections

Cars going in the same direction as the runners cannot pass from about 10 minutes before the lead runner until the last runner and the support vehicles have passed. Three sections are fully closed, including to oncoming traffic: from in front of Gokoku Shrine to the Arato intersection (12:00–12:25), from Meinohama 5-chome to the Odo-nishi intersection (12:15–12:50), and from in front of Hamanomachi Park to the Heiwadai Athletic Stadium entrance (13:55–15:00). While the roads are closed, pedestrians and bicycles cannot cross the course either (you can use pedestrian bridges). The organizers ask people to leave their cars at home and travel by train or other public transport on the day. Route buses will be suspended or detoured. Traffic restrictions page of the official site (Japanese)

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While the Hakata Station-mae 4-chome intersection is closed, from 13:05 to 13:45, detours via Chikushi-dori and Koda-guchi-dori are advised. Inquiries about the traffic restrictions go to the Fukuoka International Marathon Executive Committee office (092-733-8911), 10:00 to 16:00 excluding weekends and holidays until December 4, and 10:00 to 17:00 on December 5 and 6. The race is shown live on the 24-station TV Asahi network from 12:00 to 14:26.

3. Where and when you can cheer along the course

The official traffic map lists the restriction time for each intersection along the course. The runners pass within these times.

Outbound: in front of Gokoku Shrine 12:00–12:20, Odo-nishi 12:15–12:50, Gaikan-nishiguchi 12:25–13:00, Roppommatsu 12:45–13:20, Keigo 12:50–13:30, Hakata Station-mae 4-chome and Hakata Station (in front of the bus terminal) 13:05–13:45
Turnaround: Chidoribashi 13:15–14:45, Kashii-sandoguchi (turnaround point) 13:20–14:30
Return: Nanotsuguchi 13:55–14:55, Heiwadai 14:00–15:00

Runners pass Chidoribashi on both the outbound and return legs. You cannot watch or take photos on pedestrian bridges or stairs; you are asked to cross without stopping. For spectators, 7 Toyota dealers along the course (Fukuoka Toyopet Nishijin and Hara, Toyota Corolla Fukuoka Fukushige, Netz Toyota Fukuoka Hara, Netz Toyota Nishi-Nippon Eurode Otabe, Toyota Rent-a-Lease Fukuoka Fukuoka-nishi and Fukuoka Toyota Muromi) lend out their toilets. Ask the shop staff before using them.

At the finish, Heiwadai Athletic Stadium, you can enter the stands to watch. There are 2 entrances, at the front of the stadium and to the right of the east gate, and the grass seating from the east side of the stands to the east gate is not open. Company banners and flags are not allowed, and banners with personal names must be held by hand, not tied to fences. Drones may not be brought in or flown around the venue and the course. Spectator information on the official site (Japanese)

Address: Fukuoka International Marathon Executive Committee office: 7-7 Higashikoen, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka · Google Maps · Tel: 092-733-8911

Common questions

Can I run in the Fukuoka International Marathon?

Not as a general runner. It is for men with a qualifying record and invited runners, and entries closed on September 11, 2026.

Can I cross the course during the closure?

No. Pedestrians and bicycles cannot cross the course while the roads are closed, but you can use pedestrian bridges.

Can I watch from inside the stadium?

Yes. You can enter the stands at Heiwadai Athletic Stadium, the finish, through the front entrance or the entrance to the right of the east gate.

Sources

4 pages we checked