2025 Full Marathon Finishers Reach 345,268; Runners Under 29 Break 60,000 Milestone for the First Time: 'All Japan Marathon Ranking 2025' Announced
The R-bies Sports Foundation has released the 'All Japan Marathon Ranking 2025,' aggregating data on full marathon finishers in Japan. The total number of finishers reached 345,268, the fifth-highest on record, with finishers under 29 surpassing 60,000 for the first time, highlighting a surging interest among the youth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 22, 2026 at 03:03 (15h 31m after Collected)
The R-bies Sports Foundation has announced the 'All Japan Marathon Ranking,' summarizing various data on full marathons held in Japan from April 2025 to March 2026. The number of qualifying races reached 108 (up from 92 the previous year), marking a new record high. The number of finishers was 345,268 (an increase of 9,416 from the previous year).
The All Japan Marathon Ranking was initiated in fiscal year 2004 with the goal of increasing the full marathon population in Japan. The number of finishers reached a record high of 375,907 in fiscal 2018, but dropped to 11,198 in fiscal 2020 due to event cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the number has been on a recovery trend, and this result represents the fifth-highest finisher count on record.
By age group, the number of finishers aged 29 and under reached 60,373, breaking the 60,000 mark for the first time. This is more than 6,000 higher than the previous record-high year (54,267), and this generation accounted for a large portion of the overall increase. In recent years, running has become increasingly popular among young people globally, and this trend is becoming clear in Japan as well.
Additionally, the number of finishers aged 60 and over reached a record high of 38,037. Three people aged 90 or older (two men and one woman) also completed a marathon.
*Note: In cases where the same individual completed multiple marathons, only the best time is used in the tally.
All Japan Marathon Ranking:
This project, now in its 22nd year, creates a database of trends in domestic full marathon finishers by race and age group. The main content, the 'Full Marathon 1-Year Age Ranking,' aggregates completion records for full marathons held between April 2025 and March 2026 (a total of 108 races compliant with JAAF-certified courses and R-bies Sports Foundation standards, plus self-applied overseas races), ranking them by gender and age in 1-year increments. Detailed information is included in the separate supplement to the July issue of Monthly Runners, released on May 21.
The All Japan Marathon Ranking was initiated in fiscal year 2004 with the goal of increasing the full marathon population in Japan. The number of finishers reached a record high of 375,907 in fiscal 2018, but dropped to 11,198 in fiscal 2020 due to event cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the number has been on a recovery trend, and this result represents the fifth-highest finisher count on record.
By age group, the number of finishers aged 29 and under reached 60,373, breaking the 60,000 mark for the first time. This is more than 6,000 higher than the previous record-high year (54,267), and this generation accounted for a large portion of the overall increase. In recent years, running has become increasingly popular among young people globally, and this trend is becoming clear in Japan as well.
Additionally, the number of finishers aged 60 and over reached a record high of 38,037. Three people aged 90 or older (two men and one woman) also completed a marathon.
*Note: In cases where the same individual completed multiple marathons, only the best time is used in the tally.
All Japan Marathon Ranking:
This project, now in its 22nd year, creates a database of trends in domestic full marathon finishers by race and age group. The main content, the 'Full Marathon 1-Year Age Ranking,' aggregates completion records for full marathons held between April 2025 and March 2026 (a total of 108 races compliant with JAAF-certified courses and R-bies Sports Foundation standards, plus self-applied overseas races), ranking them by gender and age in 1-year increments. Detailed information is included in the separate supplement to the July issue of Monthly Runners, released on May 21.
FAQ
What was the number of finishers in the All Japan Marathon Ranking 2025?
The number of finishers in 2025 was 345,268.
How has the trend of full marathon finishers under 29 years old changed?
The number of finishers under 29 years old reached 60,373, breaking the 60,000 mark for the first time.
When did the All Japan Marathon Ranking start?
The All Japan Marathon Ranking started in 2004 with the aim of increasing the number of full marathon runners in Japan.
How many events are included in the ranking?
In 2025, 108 events were included in the ranking.
Was there any change in the number of finishers aged 60 and over?
The number of finishers aged 60 and over reached 38,037, setting a new record.