Kitakyushu Marathon
Kitakyushu City, Japan · Sunday 16 February 2025
This February race in Kitakyushu is a full marathon run on trail with a flat to gently rolling course, making it approachable for most runners without the punishing elevation gains of hillier events. Entry is competitive and involves multiple phases: a general lottery drawing, a second round of first-come-first-served spots (that already closed in late November), and specialty categories including pace runners and speed runner brackets if you qualify. The race offers various entry options beyond the standard marathon, including a pair relay format, a shorter 20.7km option, and fun runs of 3 or 5 kilometers, so you can adjust based on your fitness level. One thing to note is that this race does not provide a participation shirt automatically; you'll need to add 1,500 yen at registration if you want the official event tee. Make sure you understand the specific entry deadlines and requirements for your category before applying, and if you're entering from overseas, check the designated international entry guidelines and recruitment information provided on their website.
Difficulty Calculator
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Adjusted Time
4:33:19
Time difference: +33.3 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain81m
Elevation High47m
Elevation Low2m
Kitakyushu Marathon 2025 Course Analysis
Kitakyushu Marathon is a full marathon held in Kitakyushu City, Japan, scheduled for Sunday 16 February 2025. The course is run on trail surface with 81m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 47m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Kitakyushu Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a very flat course with only 81m of total elevation gain across the full distance. The course ranges from 2m to 47m above sea level — a 45m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Surface Type: Trail
Kitakyushu Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
How Difficult Is Kitakyushu Marathon?
Our difficulty rating for Kitakyushu Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Kitakyushu Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.