Kobe Marathon
Kobe, Japan · Thursday 19 November 2026
The Kobe Marathon is a flat to gently rolling full marathon held in November through the birthplace of marathon running in Japan, making it a historically significant race for distance runners. The course stays low in elevation, rarely climbing more than 12 meters above sea level, which means you won't face major climbing challenges but should expect some undulation throughout the 42.2km. The trail surface adds a different feel compared to road racing, so your legs may respond differently during training and recovery. Entry is competitive, with several recruitment categories including age-group brackets and first-timer divisions, so plan ahead if you want to secure a spot. If you're looking at this race, aim for November 2023 timing and start your training with the understanding that the mostly flat terrain favors steady pacing over climbing strategy.
Difficulty Calculator
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:m
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Adjusted Time
3:56:09
Time difference: -3.8 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain70m
Elevation High12m
Elevation Low2m
How hard is Kobe Marathon?
Moderateharder than 24% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Kobe Marathon plays about 1 minute slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #869 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #11 of 15 in Japan. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Kobe Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Kobe Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 2:56:05 | −03:55 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:26:08 | −03:52 |
| 4:00:00 | 3:56:09 | −03:51 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:26:09 | −03:51 |
| 5:00:00 | 4:56:08 | −03:52 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:26:07 | −03:53 |
| 6:00:00 | 5:56:04 | −03:56 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Kobe Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Kobe Marathon is a full marathon held in Kobe, Japan. It is scheduled for Thursday 19 November 2026. The course is run on road surface with 70m of total climbing, with its high point near 12m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Kobe Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
This is a very flat course, with only 70m of total climbing and little change in altitude throughout. Flat profiles let you hold an even pace from start to finish, which makes this a fast, PB-friendly race.
Surface Type: Road
Kobe Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Kobe Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If Kobe Marathon fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.