Hirakata May Eco-Marathon 2026

Have you ever dreamed of running in the Land of the Rising Sun? 🌅 Well, here is the perfect opportunity for you! 🫵

The Hirakata Ecomarathon, located in the beautiful city of Hirakata, in Osaka Prefecture, in Japan 🇯🇵 is an unmissable event for any runner 🏃‍♂️. The event, taking place in May 🍂, offers 3 timed races ⏱️ 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 🎣. If you came for a family day out, a parent-child race 👩‍👦 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 🤓.

With several other sporting events organized, particularly in the prefectures of Saitama, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Kumamoto (but mainly in Tokyo 🌸) the Ecomarathon positions itself as an environment-conscious organization 🌳 and committed to various causes 🎗️. 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 🍲.

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 🦈. 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 🫰 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 🎏.

Today, Hirakata is a modern city with a diverse population and a dynamic economy 🎐. 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! 🚀