Marathon de Nagano
The Nagano Marathon concludes within Nagano Olympic Stadium, directly referencing the Winter Olympics that inspired the race's name. This mid-April road marathon, held in Nagano, Japan, features both elite athletes and recreational runners on a shared point-to-point course. Annually, the event attracts nearly 10,000 participants and holds accreditation from the Japan Association of Athletics Federations, AIMS, and IAAF Bronze Label. The route commences at Nagano Sports Park, proceeds generally southward through the city, passing Zenkō-ji temple, Nagano City Hall, Ito-Yokado, and the Daimon Intersection before its finish at the Olympic stadium. Four former Olympic sites are situated along the course. The modern marathon evolved from the earlier Shinmai Marathon, which began in 1958. The international elite field has seen Kenyan men achieve the most victories, while Russian women have also performed strongly. Nephat Kinyanjui secured three consecutive wins, and few Japanese runners have won since the race was re-established with its current designation.
