
Osaka, Japan · Sunday 25 February 2024
The Osaka Marathon 2024 takes place on February 25th as a full 42.2-kilometer road race through Japan with minimal elevation change, making it a genuinely flat to gently rolling course that rarely climbs above 21 meters. The surface is trail-based rather than typical road pavement, which means you'll want to prepare your legs and shoes accordingly for the different impact and footing compared to standard marathon courses. Entry is open to general runners, racing wheelchair competitors, and challenge runners through the official website, where you can also access race results and download your digital certificate after finishing. With the 2025 race already scheduled for February 24th, this event appears to be an annual fixture in the Japanese marathon calendar, so plan ahead if you're considering participation. Check the official Osaka Marathon site for current traffic regulations, preparation details, and any updates on logistics before you arrive.
Adjusted Time
4:31:32
Time difference: +31.5 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Osaka Marathon is a full marathon held in Osaka, Japan, scheduled for Sunday 25 February 2024. The course is run on trail surface with 41m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 21m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Osaka Marathon website.
This is a very flat course with only 41m of total elevation gain across the full distance. The course ranges from 0m to 21m above sea level — a 21m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Osaka 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.
Our difficulty rating for Osaka 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 Osaka Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.