Course Map
Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Kobe Marathon is a flat, fast course through the elegant Japanese port city, tracing the bay and waterfront with the mountains rising behind on smooth, level roads. The forgiving profile makes it a reasonable personal-best target, and the event carries a strong spirit of community and recovery. Held in November, it offers cool autumn conditions and the warm, orderly support typical of Japanese racing. The bayside cityscape defines the day. It suits the PB chaser who wants a fast, hospitable Japanese race in a cool-weather window.
Course Insight
Kobe is a flat, scenic November marathon along the bay through the Japanese port city, quick on level ground with sea views. The flatness leaves pacing discipline to you on the open stretches. Cool autumn air suits fast running. The waterfront setting is pleasant. Pace it evenly and the flat route delivers the time you trained for.
Difficulty Breakdown
A fast, runner-friendly course.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 115m
- Elevation loss
- 119m
- Highest point
- 14m
- Lowest point
- 3m
- Net elevation
- -4m
- Start
- Starts in front of Kobe City Hall, finishes at Kobe Harborland.
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Race History
The Kobe Marathon was first held in 2011, a flat, fast course through the elegant Japanese port city, tracing the bay and waterfront with a strong spirit of community and recovery. Its forgiving profile and warm, orderly support built its character. From its founding it grew into a popular Japanese marathon. Held each November, it draws a large field to the bayside city.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Kobe (UKB), Osaka Itami (ITM) & Kansai (KIX)
- Best area to stay
- Sannomiya in the city centre for proximity to the route and full hotels, the Kitano district for charming historic stays, and Harborland for scenic bayfront options.
- Getting to the start
- The start is near Sannomiya in the centre; take the subway or JR to Sannomiya and walk to the start.