The 2007 Tokyo Marathon is said to have started the marathon boom. Many of you may have seen the scene of interviews with runners around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on TV. There are many typical reasons for running, such as dieting, working out, stress relief, and being part of the boom, but when we asked marathon enthusiasts, some of their unique answers were, “Because I don’t have to think about anything. There are many reasons, of course, but marathons can be run freely, with no particularly strict rules. This may be one of the reasons why the marathon population is increasing year by year, and why we see more and more runners. Also, although marathons may have an image of winter, marathons are held somewhere in Japan throughout the year. Among them, I would like to introduce a popular and surprising marathon in the Chugoku region.

Kuman 100

The distance to be run is a whopping 100 miles (160km)! Let me start with a very hard marathon. The island of Etajima, located in the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima Prefecture, is an island with beautiful scenery that is visited by many people. The course is a combination of a marathon and a trail, and is too grueling. The time limit is a whopping 35 hours. Despite the grueling nature of the race, the number of participants has been increased from 30 to 50 since 2023. There seem to be many runners who drop out of the race, but those who are determined to make it, with the enthusiastic cheering of the islanders, are encouraged to prepare well and take on the challenge!

Soja Kibiji Marathon

Held every February in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, this marathon used to have the largest number of participants in the Chugoku region, and there are three types of marathons: full marathon, half marathon, and 10 km marathon. The number of participants has recently been reduced to 12,000, but in its heyday, the marathon attracted more than 20,000 runners. The course features no particular ups and downs and runs through peaceful countryside, making it popular for its scenic beauty. The half marathon and 10 km course are certified as official courses, so it seems to be a recommended marathon for those aiming for a record.

Izumo Kunibiki Marathon

The Izumo Kunibiki Marathon is held every March in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, and has a long history, with the 40th anniversary scheduled for 2023. There is no full marathon here either, but rather a half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, 3 km, and 1.5 km races. The 1.5 km race is open to participants of all ages, from 3rd grade elementary school students to the general public. In addition, since the 11th marathon, the event has become one of the most notable citizen’s marathons in Japan as a “friendly event” in which visually impaired runners are also allowed to participate. Although the maximum number of participants is limited to 3,000, the half marathon and 10 km course are certified as an official course, and the course near Izumo Taisha Shrine is a popular event. We recommend that the whole family participate!

Southern Ceto Oshima Road Race

This marathon is held every February on Suo Oshima Island in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The number of applicants is rather small (2,000) and the content is geared toward beginners, with half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, and 2 km races, but it seems to be the most highly rated and popular marathon among marathons held in the Chugoku region. The reason for this may be, after all, that you can enjoy an exhilarating run with a view of the Seto Inland Sea, a coastal course that is too luxurious to be missed. If the weather is fine, you will definitely be able to run with a refreshing feeling while looking out at the sea! The course is also popular because of the cheering along the course, the cheering events by local residents, and the chance to win a set of local specialties by lottery, with tangerines and T-shirts of local products as participation prizes. This is a good opportunity to enjoy Suo Oshima, which has recently been focusing on tourism and is a popular destination for immigrants. The entry fee is very inexpensive, making it an easy event to participate in, and it is a marathon that deserves a high rating!

Shimanami Kaido Ultra Walking

Although not a marathon, there is a walking event held every September. You can choose between a 75-km course from Mukaishima Island in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture to Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, and a 100-km course newly established in 2023. Even though it is a walking event, it is quite a long distance, so it is a good idea to be well prepared and take on the challenge while enjoying the clear autumn scenery of the Seto Inland Sea!