第50回記念 関川マラソン 2026

The Sekikawa Marathon takes place in Sekikawa Village, Niigata Prefecture, during early summer. It offers half marathon, 12 km, and 3 km race distances. The longer races begin in front of the Watanabe Residence, a National Important Cultural Property, and the 3 km race starts on the levee near Sekikawa Fureai Dome. The event has a limit of 1,500 runners and is open to healthy participants; wheelchair entries are not permitted. The half marathon must be completed within 3 hours, the 12 km within 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the 3 km has no time limit. The course winds along roads beside a clear stream, through countryside with fresh green foliage, and features ascents and descents around Maruyama Ohashi bridge. Participants will run through a village setting, with local history near the start and nature along the course. This year marks the 50th running of the race, featuring guest runners Hiromi Taniguchi, a world championships marathon gold medalist, and Tsutomu Nagata, a Paralympic marathon bronze medalist. All participants receive a hot spring admission ticket, a sports drink, a record certificate, and either a commemorative T-shirt or sweets (for elementary and middle school students). Following the race, many participants visit Echigo Sekikawa Onsen Village. The event lottery offers prizes including hot-spring accommodation vouchers and local sake.