Course Map
About this Race
The Nagoya Women's Marathon is the largest women-only marathon in the world, a flat and fast Japanese race renowned for its impeccable organization and its famous Tiffany & Co. pendant handed to every finisher. The course loops through the city of Nagoya past the castle and along broad avenues, finishing inside the Nagoya Dome for a memorable indoor climax. Run in early spring, it offers cool, favorable conditions and the orderly, supportive crowds characteristic of Japanese racing. The gentle profile puts the focus on even pacing rather than survival. It suits women seeking a fast, beautifully run race with a celebrated reward and the rare atmosphere of an all-female field of tens of thousands.
Course Insight
Nagoya is the largest women-only marathon in the world, and its energy is singular: a vast field running a flat, fast course built squarely for personal bests. The famously level profile and meticulous organisation make conditions about as controllable as marathoning gets, so the discipline lies in not over-running the supportive early kilometres. March timing keeps the air cool and quick. The legendary finisher's reward, a Tiffany pendant handed over by a tuxedoed attendant, gives the closing stretch a glow few races match. Pace it patiently and the flat run-in becomes a celebration.
Difficulty Breakdown
A fast, runner-friendly course.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 125m
- Elevation loss
- 85m
- Highest point
- 17m
- Lowest point
- 1m
- Net elevation
- +40m
- Start
- Nagoya Dome (Vantelin Dome)
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
Course Records
- Women's
- 2:17:18 — Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya), 2022
Race History
The Nagoya Women's Marathon in its current mass-participation form was first held in 2012, evolving from an earlier elite women's race in the city dating to the 1980s. It rapidly became the largest women-only marathon in the world, famous for the Tiffany & Co. pendant awarded to every finisher and a Guinness World Record for its field size. Run on a flat, fast course finishing inside the Nagoya Dome, it draws an enormous all-female field each spring. Today it stands as a celebrated showcase of women's distance running in Japan.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Chubu Centrair Nagoya (NGO)
- Best area to stay
- Sakae for lively central hotels on the route, the Nagoya Station area for transport-hub convenience, and the Castle area for proximity to the start.
- Getting to the start
- The start is at the Nagoya Dome/castle area; take the subway to the start-area station and walk in to the corrals.