Outline of Osaka Marathon 2025

Guide to the Osaka Marathon 2025

Race Name Osaka Marathon 2024 (12th Osaka Marathon)
(also serves as: Osaka Marathon 2024)
Japan Marathon Championship Series Men's GS/Women's G2
World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 Marathon, Japan National Team qualifying trials (Men)
Race Organizers Osaka Prefectural Government, Osaka Municipal Government, Osaka Athletics (OA)
Co-organizers The Yomiuri Shimbun, The Mainichi Newspapers, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF)
Managing Organization Osaka Athletics (OA)
Operational Supporter Osaka Para Athletics Association
Supporting Organizations Osaka City Community Promotion Association, Osaka Prefecture Shopping District Association, Osaka Prefectural Federation of Shopping Center Promotion Associations, Osaka City Shopping Streets Association, Kansai Economic Federation, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kansai Association of Corporate Executives, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, Osaka Prefectural Sport Association, Osaka Athletic Association, Osaka Sport Promotion Council, Osaka City Sport Association, Osaka City Sports and Welfare Association, Osaka City Sport Promotion Council, Osaka City Sports and Greenery Association, Osaka Para-Sports Association, Osaka City Welfare and Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities, Osaka Medical Association, Osaka Hospital Association, Osaka Nursing Association, Kinki Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kinki District Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hanshin Expressway Company Limited, Yomiuri Light and Humanity Association, Osaka Life Support Association, Osaka Prefectural Board of Education, Osaka City Board of Education, The Hochi Shimbun Inc., Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Sports Nippon Newspapers (planned, in no particular order)
Official Sponsors Osaka Metro Co., Ltd.; OPTAGE Inc.; Mizuno Corporation; Duskin Co., Ltd.; Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.; MUFG Bank, Ltd.; others
Telecast NHK, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, Mainichi Broadcasting System
Event
  • Marathon (42.195 km)
  • 720 <Naniwa> Marathon (Runners: 7.2 km, Wheelchairs: 720 m)
Date & Time
  • Monday, February 24, 2025 (Mon)
  • 9:15: Marathon Wave 1 starts. This is followed by Wave 2 and Wave 3, which start sequentially.
  • 720 <Naniwa> Marathon (Runners) starts with Wave 3.
  • 10:30: 720 <Naniwa> Marathon (Wheelchairs) starts.
  • 11:00: 720 <Naniwa> Marathon (Wheelchairs) finishes.
  • 11:05: 720 <Naniwa> Marathon (Runners) finishes.
  • 16:15: Marathon finishes.
Course
  • Marathon:
    Osaka Marathon course starting in front of the Osaka Prefectural Government Building and finishing within Osaka Castle (official course of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF), World Athletics (WA), and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS))
  • 720 <Naniwa> Marathon :
    Runners: Course starting in front of the Osaka Prefectural Government Building and finishing in front of Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest
    Wheelchairs: Course starting at the Shiromi 1 Intersection and finishing inside Osaka Castle Park
Competition Rules The race will be conducted in accordance with the latest rules and regulations of the WA, the JAAF, and this event.
Because the Osaka Marathon is a Label Road Race certified by the WA, the WA Road Race Label Regulations also apply. Doping control tests will be conducted in accordance with WA Rules. The wheelchair marathon follows the rules and regulations of the World Para Athletics (WPA) and this event.
Line-up at Start

To relieve congestion and protect athletes’ safety, a wave (corral) start will be used. A wave-start schedule and waiting blocks will be set up according to the certified time on the record certificate (personal best time) submitted at the time of application, regardless of whether or not you have JAAF membership. Those who have not specified both a certified time on the record certificate and an estimated finish time will start from the rearmost block of the last wave.
Please note that starting from a point ahead of your set wave will result in disqualification.

[Priority order for wave starts and waiting blocks]

  • Invited athletes / Elite runners
  • Those who have a personal best time (gross time or net time) (The time must be recorded at a confirmable race held on or after August 1, 2021. If it is found to be a false report, the entry will be canceled.)
  • Those who reported an estimated finish time
  • Those who reported neither a personal best time nor an estimated finish time
  • * Group entries will start from the same block as the participant in the same group with the slowest personal best time and estimated time at application.
  • * 720 <Naniwa> Marathon (Runners) shall start from Wave 3.
Time Limit
  • Marathon: 7 hours (The competition ends at 16:15.)

    * Time limits are based on the timing of the starting gun for Wave 1.

  • 720 <Naniwa> Marathon
    Runners: 1 hour and 20 minutes (The competition ends at 11:05.)

    * Time limits are based on the timing of the starting gun (9:45) for Wave 3.

    Wheelchairs: 30 minutes (The competition ends at 11:00.)
Costume-clad Participation JAAF members are prohibited from participating in the race dressed in costume. Costume-clad runners are not allowed to start from Block A regardless of having JAAF membership or not. Costumes and behavior that cause discomfort to other runners or people along the route are prohibited.
Qualifications

<1> Marathon: Persons born on or before April 1, 2006

  • JAAF members (FY2024 registered members)
  • Non-JAAF members
    • * In both (1) and (2), those who have difficulty running on their own may each be accompanied by one escort runner. (An escort runner can change only once at a designated point on the course. Running with a guide dog or any other animal is not permitted.)
    • * Those who are capable of completing the race within the race time limits.

<2> 720 <Naniwa> Marathon

Runners : Persons born on or before April 1, 2009

Wheelchairs : Coming soon.

  • * Those who are capable of completing the race within the race time limits.
Maximum Number of Participants 34,000
(marathon: 31,970, 720 <Naniwa> Marathon (Runners): 2,030)
Application Category
(excluding elite runners)

<1> Marathon

  • ①General runners (individuals)
  • ②General runners (2- to 7-person groups)
    ① to ② total 28,420
  • ③Charity Runners 1,000

<2> 720 <Naniwa> Marathon

  • ①Runners 2,000
How to Apply
Application Period

①②③General runners
From 10:00 on September 26 (Tue) to 17:00 on October 15 (Sun), 2023

How Participants are Selected ①②④If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, a drawing will be held. Notification of the drawing results will be provided on September 26, 2024 (Thursday) by email.(Depending on the situation, a notification may be sent to those who are additionally selected as participants.)
②First come, first served. Applications will no longer be accepted when capacity is reached
Entry Fee

<1> Marathon

  • ①General runners (individuals) Domestic: 16,000 yen / Overseas: 18,000 yen
  • ②General runners (2- to 7-person groups), per participant Domestic: 16,500 yen / Overseas: 18,500 yen
  • ③Charity runners Domestic: 16,000 yen / Overseas: 18,000 yen

<2> <Naniwa> Marathon

  • ④Runners Domestic: 5,000 yen / Overseas: 6,000 yen
  • * For both marathons, a separate administrative fee (5.5% of the amount of payment for domestic entries, and 11% for overseas entries) and at least two charity donations per participant (500 yen per donation) are required in addition to the entry fee.
Payment Method

Payment must be made immediately by credit card, etc., or at a convenience store.

  • * For the Marathon in (1), ④ Civic athletes are required to pay immediately by credit card or other payment method.
Awards

The awards will be granted based on the gross time as follows. (No awards are issued for the 720 <Naniwa> Marathon.)

  • ◎The top eight male and female finishers overall will be awarded.
  • ◎The Civic Runner Award is granted to male and female runners finishing in first place, excluding invited athletes and elite runners.
  • ◎The Chicago Marathon Award is granted to male and female runners who live in Osaka Prefecture and finish in first place, excluding invited athletes, elite runners, representative runners for affiliate marathons, and the Chicago Marathon Award winners up through the 12th Osaka Marathon.
  • ◎The Prague Marathon Award is granted to male and female runners who live in Osaka Prefecture and finish in second place, excluding invited athletes, elite runners, and representative runners for affiliate marathons. However, if a male or female runner finishing first place is not eligible for the Chicago Marathon Award, they shall receive the Prague Marathon Award instead.

* A certificate will also be sent separately at a later date to the top three male and female runners per five-year age bracket, excluding invited athletes, elite runners, and overall prize winners, according to their net time. The oldest runner to complete the marathon will be sent the Super Senior Award at a later date.

Runners' Registration
(Osaka Marathon EXPO 2025)

Period: Two days on February 22 (Sat) and 23 (Sun, holiday), 2025

Venue: INTEX Osaka

Time/Runner registration: February 22 (Sat) 11:00 to 19:00, February 23 (Sun, holiday) 10:00 to 18:00
Exhibition area: February 22 (Sat) 11:00 to 19:30 (last admission: 19:00), February 23 (Sun, holiday) 10:00 to 18:30 (last admission: 18:00)

  • * Registration will not be accepted on the day of the race (Monday, February 24). Please bring a photo identification document with you for registration.Your registration will not be accepted if you do not bring a photo identification document with you
Doping Control Doping control tests will be conducted in accordance with the latest WA Anti-Doping Rules, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the Japan Anti-Doping Code. For doping control tests carried out before or after the race, a sample of urine and/or blood will be collected. The relevant people should take the test as instructed.
TUE Application

Athletes who have to use prohibited substances/methods included on the Prohibited List for the purpose of treating a disease must file an application for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). For details, please refer to the websites below.

▼JAAF Medical Committee
(https://www.jaaf.or.jp/about/resist/medical/)

▼Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA)
(https://www.playtruejapan.org/)

If a TUE has been issued for a prohibited substance/method, submit a certificate of proof (copy acceptable) to the inspector during doping control testing.

Notes for Participating in the Race
  • The organizer will only provide first aid in the event of an accident during the race. Except in the case of gross negligence by the organizer, compensation will be within the range of the engaged accident insurance (solatium payment).
  • The event organizing body will not accept applications from those who disagree with the concept of charity programs.
  • Those who do not meet the qualifications cannot participate in the race. No one but the selected applicants can participate in the race.
  • If any falsification of your name/qualifications/record certificate or other dishonest act is identified, you will be disqualified and you will not be allowed to participate in the race. Furthermore, applications for future races will also not be allowed.
  • After application, notifications will be sent to the registered email address. The event organizing body will take no responsibility if you cannot receive email messages sent by the event organizing body due to a malfunction in your device, incorrect email settings, a change in your email address, or the like.
  • Please use public transportation to reach the venue. Please note that the event organizing body will take no responsibility if you cannot participate in the race due to transportation delays.
  • Please be sure to manage your health before participating in the race.
  • The event organizing body will take no responsibility for any loss of, theft of, or damage to your belongings, including valuables and baggage.
  • It is prohibited to post or wear any designs, letters, trademarks, or the like representing company names or product names, etc. for advertising purposes within the event site (including the race course).
  • Usage and portrait rights of the following items belong to the event organizing body when they are used for TV broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and printed materials published by the event organizing body: images, photographs, and articles covering the race; location information; and entrants’ names, ages, addresses (prefecture or city) and records.
  • This race is covered by the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings, which is a qualifier for the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships. Therefore, race results (names, ages, genders, nationalities, and records) are provided to World Marathon Majors LLC, a U.S.-based company that manages the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Runners who qualify to participate in the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships will receive a notification to that effect from World Marathon Majors LLC. To receive this notification, you yourself must first register with World Marathon Majors LLC. For more information, see the About Abbott World Marathon Majors.
  • Photographs of the race may be sold to the runners by a party entrusted by the event organizing body.
  • For matters relating to the race, even if they are not included in the aforementioned notes, please follow instructions given by the event organizing body.
Notes for Applications
  • You may be unable to apply depending on the device you are using (including OS, browser software, and network configuration). The event organizing body will take no responsibility for any delay in applications due to equipment malfunctions or other problems.
  • You cannot apply for multiple application categories. If duplicate applications by the same person are found, all applications will be disqualified, and you will not be allowed to participate in the race.
  • You cannot change or cancel your application for personal reasons after application. However, this does not apply to changes that can be made on My Page.
  • We will not respond to any inquiries regarding application status, drawing results, and other matters.
  • No receipts will be issued for the entry fee and other charges. Please use your credit card statement or bill issued by a credit card company as your receipt. In the case of payment at a convenience store, use the copy of the payment slip as the receipt. Please note that those who enter the event through Runnet can obtain a receipt from My Page in Runnet.
  • If you wish to participate in the race as an elite runner, please apply in the category of “elite runners.” Applications for elite runners will be accepted separately.
Judgment on Whether the Race Can Be Held or Will Be Canceled If the safe operation of the race is judged to be difficult due to an earthquake, storm, flood, or any other natural disaster; the spread of an infectious disease; accident requiring a police or fire department response; etc., the race will be canceled. The amount of refund of the entry fee, etc. in the case of race cancellation will be determined after deducting the expenses incurred before the cancellation decision was made.
Personal Information

The event organizing body abides by laws and regulations related to the protection of personal information and handles the personal information of the participants in accordance with the privacy policy of the Osaka Marathon Organizing Committee. For the privacy policy, please refer to the website below.

▼Privacy Policy
https://www.osaka-marathon.com/2025/en/policy/

  • * The event organizing body or the Osaka Marathon Call Center may contact participants to confirm the information stated on their application forms.
  • * The event organizing body will not provide any personal information on participants to the co-organizers or related mass media without the participant's consent.
Other Information In the event that the Japanese government, Osaka Prefecture, the Japan Sport Association, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, or other applicable body issues policies or guidelines regarding countermeasures against infectious diseases, appropriate measures will be taken in accordance with those policies or guidelines.