The Saga Sakura Marathon runs through Saga City and Kanzaki City in Saga Prefecture in March. Entry opens at noon on October 1 and is first come, first served until October 21. If you live in Japan, you enter on the Japanese site RUNNET; the English site is for information and for runners living overseas.
In short
- Saga Sakura Marathon 2027 (さが桜マラソン2027) is on Sunday, March 21, 2027, starting at 9:00.
- Entry opens on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 12:00 and closes on Wednesday, October 21, at 23:59, or earlier if it fills up.
- Residents of Japan pay ¥14,500 for the marathon (8,500 places) and ¥6,000 for the fun run of about 10 km (1,500 places).
- There is an English page. It says runners living overseas should use Run Japan.
Checked with official pages on September 28, 2026.
1. Can I run?
Saga Sakura Marathon Organizing Committee
The marathon (42.195 km, certified) has a time limit of 6 hours 30 minutes. The fun run (about 10 km) has a limit of 1 hour 45 minutes. The marathon is for people born on or before April 1, 2008, and the fun run for people born on or before April 1, 2011. The rules add that you must be healthy and follow the entry terms. They do not mention nationality.
The start is in front of SAGA Sunrise Park on National Route 263, and the finish is at SAGA Stadium. The race is held in rain.
2. How do I enter from Japan?
Saga Sakura Marathon Organizing Committee
The entry page (Japanese) has two buttons: “国内在住 (RUNNET)” for people living in Japan and “海外在住 (Run Japan)” for people living overseas. Overseas entries cost more (¥19,500 for the marathon).
- Get ready on RUNNET. RUNNET is a Japanese running site. The entry page has one button for first-time RUNNET users and one for members.
- Enter on RUNNET from 12:00 on October 1. Go to the race page on RUNNET (Japanese). Places are first come, first served.
- Pay and check your email. RUNNET takes card, convenience store or ATM payment and adds a 6% entry fee. It sends an email when your entry is complete.
Important
The general entry closes on October 21 at 23:59, but it closes as soon as the places are full. The organizers do not answer phone or email questions about whether your entry went through.
New in 2027 is the “Saga Style Run” (さがすたいるラン), about 1.5 km for a child of junior high school age or younger running with a partner. It is a lottery, with the same entry dates, and costs ¥6,000. A furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) entry route is also open until October 31.
3. Who do I ask?
Saga Sakura Marathon Organizing Committee
Entry Center (Japanese): 0570-081-082, 10:00 to 17:00, not on weekends or holidays. The English page gives an email address for the Entry Center: marathon-entry@runners.co.jp. It also has an English FAQ on changing rooms, bags and water stations.
Race check-in (the day before, 10:00 to 17:00, or on race day until 8:00) is at the help desk in front of SAGA Arena, 2-1-10 Hinode, Saga City. Google Maps.
Other Kyushu marathons still taking entries: Ibusuki Nanohana Marathon 2027 and Kagoshima Marathon 2027.
