About this race
The Obuse Mini Marathon is a half marathon held in July in Obuse, a town in Nagano Prefecture. It begins at 6:00 AM at Obuse Station and concludes at Obuse General Park. Although called "mini," the race covers the full half-marathon distance of 21.0975 km within a 5-hour time limit. Start blocks are organized by predicted finish time. The event emphasizes appreciating Obuse during the run, with participants sometimes pausing to enjoy the town, rather than focusing solely on speed. The entry limit is 8,000 participants, who must be at least 15 years old. High school students require parental consent.
The course follows three principles: running along the levee, through country roads, and down alleys. Its core concept is "Enso," meaning connection running, reflecting the organizers' aim for runners, volunteers, and residents to interact during the race. While there are awards for overall and age-group winners, the event also features a Best Costume Award, team prizes, and a Big Wave Award for the largest participating group. A costume check-in occurs before the start, and the preceding day includes a safety prayer ceremony and a workshop with a guest runner. Finishers are presented with a towel at the park post-race.
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