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Ecomarathon of Hirakata in March 2026

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The event in a few words

Have you ever dreamed of running in the Land of the Rising Sun? ๐ŸŒ… Well, here is the perfect opportunity for you! ๐Ÿซต

The Hirakata Ecomarathon, located in the beautiful city of Hirakata, in Osaka Prefecture, in Japan ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต is an unmissable event for any runner ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ. The event, taking place in March ๐Ÿ‚, offers 3 timed races โฑ๏ธ of 5 km, 10 km and 21 km. Whether you are a beginner or a regular, you will have the chance to run along the cycling path by the Yodogawa River ๐ŸŽฃ. If you came for a family day out, a parent-child race ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ of 5 km is organized. In any case, you'll start at 11:00 AM, plus the races being limited to 200 participants in total, you won't risk getting trampled when the start is given ๐Ÿค“.

With several other sporting events organized, particularly in the prefectures of SaitamaOsakaHiroshimaKyoto and Kumamoto (but mainly in Tokyo ๐ŸŒธ) the Ecomarathon positions itself as an environment-conscious organization ๐ŸŒณ and committed to various causes ๐ŸŽ—๏ธ. This year, it is possible to donate to the International Refugee Support Association: Second Harvest Japan. As Japan's first food bank, the organization is committed to ensuring everyone has access to food ๐Ÿฒ.

If you plan to extend your stay and visit the region, the Osaka Prefecture is full of tourist attractions for young and old! The Kaiyukan Aquarium is one of the largest in the world, featuring a wide variety of marine life ๐Ÿฆˆ. The Universal Studios Japan opened first outside the United States and, similar to those in Orlando, have begun opening exclusive attractions in recent years, so you can find manga heroes ๐Ÿซฐ and popular Japanese characters there. If you only have one day to spend in the prefecture and you are not sure what to choose, why not take a trip to the city of Kyoto, former capital of Japan and emblematic site of traditional Japanese culture ๐ŸŽ.

Today, Hirakata is a modern city with a diverse population and a dynamic economy ๐ŸŽ. It is known worldwide for its universities, parks, and tourist attractions, while maintaining links to its historical past.

So, ready to take on the challenge? Let's warm up, lace up those sneakers, and sign up for the Hirakata Ecomarathon! ๐Ÿš€

4 reasons to join this race

Discover Japan ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
If you've never been to Japan, running the Hirakata Ecomarathon is the perfect opportunity to explore this country that combines tradition and modernity in all circumstances. If you decide to extend your stay, we invite you to explore Osaka Prefecture. Between Osaka Castle ๐Ÿฏ, the Kaiyukan Aquarium ๐Ÿฆˆ, or the Universal Studios Japan ๐ŸŽก, these attractions are all famous in their own right.
A flat and fast course โšก๏ธ
Whether you choose to run 5 or 10 km, you might be surprised by the ease of the courses that may allow you to beat your personal record ๐Ÿ…. If you hope to spend a Sunday with the family, a parent-child race is organized for children under 15 ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿง’โ€๐Ÿง’.
Participate in a human-sized event ๐Ÿ‘ซ
The maximum number of participants is 200. If you're used to international races with several thousand participants, you'll find it's not the same hustle and bustle! But don't worry, we guarantee you'll enjoy running just as much (if not more) ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ.
Taste Japanese specialties ๐Ÿฑ
Although less known culinarily than some of its neighbors, the city of Hirakata offers a wide range of culinary specialties ๐Ÿฅก that will delight you during your stay. We invite you to taste (without moderation) Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, or even mochis ๐Ÿก to end your meal on a high note ๐Ÿคค.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Bib pickup will take place on the day of the race from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

The races will start at 11 AM, at Yodogawa River Park Hirakata (near the bottom of the bridge), on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

There will be no baggage service on site, but a storage area will be provided.

  • Half-Marathon: the time limit is 180 min

  • 10 km: the time limit is 90 min

  • 1 km from Hirakata-koen station

  • 2 km from Hirakatashi station

Note, limited express trains are convenient when coming from the direction of Yodogawa or Osaka Kyoto direction, but they do not stop at Hirakata Koen station, the closest station.

If you have any other questions, you can contact the organizers at the following email address: ecomarathon@runningtokyo.com