Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

The Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon is one of Japan's "Three Classic Marathons" alongside the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon and the Fukuoka International Marathon. Organized by The Mainichi Newspapers Co. since 1952, it is held every February between the cities of Beppu and Ōita on Kyushu island. The 42.195K course starts near Takasaki Mountain and the Umitamago aquarium in Ōita City, turns around at Kamegawa Fishing Port in Beppu, and finishes at J-Lease Stadium in Ōita City. Long regarded as one of the world's most competitive elite marathons, it also serves as a selection race in Japan's MGC (Marathon Grand Championship) Series for the Olympic team. This is not an open mass-participation event: every entrant must meet a qualifying time. The most accessible entry tier, Category 4, requires a certified marathon finish under 3 hours 30 minutes (net time accepted); Categories 1-3 are reserved for faster, Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF)-registered runners. All categories share the same 15,000 Japanese yen (JPY) entry fee. The 74th edition ran on February 1, 2026, with about 4,000 total starters across all categories; the 75th edition is expected in early February 2027, with entries typically opening in late August the year before.