Marathon races near Saitama

Saitama Training Notes

Saitama hosts 76 Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.

Running in Saitama works best when you mix river flats with west-side green. Locals use the Arakawa river between Tokyo and Saitama for easy Z2 and talk-pace runs. Saitama Runners さいたまランナー keeps the door open for seasoned runners, social runners, and joggers. AKRJ used a Sunday 6k fun run and a River Arakawa 6km first run, so the vibe is simple and friendly. Kamakita Lake and Kuroyama San give you shade, trail footing, and a proper reset from the Kanto plain. The races include 2km, parent-child, and wheelchair options.

Riding in Saitama is more road than drama, and that is good for base miles. The city has 687 km of tracked cycling routes and 36 routes on Bikemap, so locals can keep weekday spins short or stack distance. One route runs 2 km and takes 204 m up and 204 m down. Another route runs 6 km along the river and gains 143 m. Saitama Dreve gives the city a serious road scene, and J:COM Saitama Criterium is the anchor crit.

Summer in Saitama points riders toward the Iruma River Cycling Road, because the 24km trip from Kawagoe to Iruma gives shade breaks and pleasant air just off the hot paved road. The route runs 36 km and gains only 2 m. The Iruma district of western Saitama changes the feel with Kamakita Lake, Kuroyama San, and Shukuya no Taki. Winter shifts both sports back toward steady river work, city loops, and controlled intervals when the climbs are less inviting.