Kobe Marathon 2026 Officially Joins MGC Series 2026-27!
The Kobe Marathon 2026 has been selected as an affiliated race for the MGC Series 2026-27, which determines the annual marathon champion of Japan and selects representatives for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (1h 56m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 06:40 (583h 44m after Collected)
It has been officially decided that the Kobe Marathon 2026 (Men's G2 / Women's G3) will join the MGC Series 2026-27, the series that determines the annual marathon champion (Japan National Champion). For more details, visit the MGC Series Special Site at https://www.mgc42195.jp/series/2025-26/.
The MGC Series 2026-27 covers a two-year period (from March 10, 2025, to mid-March 2027), including the previous MGC Series 2025-26. The series champion, determined by the total score calculated from race performances during this period, will be officially selected as the Japan representative for the marathon at the 2027 World Athletics Championships to be held in Beijing, China.
### MGC Series Overview
The series determines the overall performance winner across a period starting from the day after the previous series ends until mid-March of the following year.
### MGC Series 2026-27 Affiliated and Designated Races
(1) Affiliated Races:
- 28th Nagano Marathon (Men's G3)
- Hokkaido Marathon 2026 (Men's and Women's G2)
- Kobe Marathon 2026 (Men's G2 / Women's G3) **NEW!**
(2) Point-Designated Races:
- World Marathon Majors and WA Platinum Label races
- National team dispatch races
- MGC (Marathon Grand Championship)
### Series Points Period Summary
The MGC Series Points 2026-27 will be calculated based on the best two performances within the following two years. Note that at least one of these two races must be an affiliated race of the MGC Series 2026-27.
- MGC Series 2025-26: March 10, 2025, to March 1, 2026 (Men) / March 8, 2026 (Women)
- MGC Series 2026-27: March 9, 2026, until the final G1 race in 2027
### Event Information (Affiliated Race)
[Kobe Marathon 2026]
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Location: Kobe City Hall (Start) to Kobe Harborland (Finish)
- Event Page: https://www.jaaf.or.jp/competition/detail/2073/
The MGC Series 2026-27 covers a two-year period (from March 10, 2025, to mid-March 2027), including the previous MGC Series 2025-26. The series champion, determined by the total score calculated from race performances during this period, will be officially selected as the Japan representative for the marathon at the 2027 World Athletics Championships to be held in Beijing, China.
### MGC Series Overview
The series determines the overall performance winner across a period starting from the day after the previous series ends until mid-March of the following year.
### MGC Series 2026-27 Affiliated and Designated Races
(1) Affiliated Races:
- 28th Nagano Marathon (Men's G3)
- Hokkaido Marathon 2026 (Men's and Women's G2)
- Kobe Marathon 2026 (Men's G2 / Women's G3) **NEW!**
(2) Point-Designated Races:
- World Marathon Majors and WA Platinum Label races
- National team dispatch races
- MGC (Marathon Grand Championship)
### Series Points Period Summary
The MGC Series Points 2026-27 will be calculated based on the best two performances within the following two years. Note that at least one of these two races must be an affiliated race of the MGC Series 2026-27.
- MGC Series 2025-26: March 10, 2025, to March 1, 2026 (Men) / March 8, 2026 (Women)
- MGC Series 2026-27: March 9, 2026, until the final G1 race in 2027
### Event Information (Affiliated Race)
[Kobe Marathon 2026]
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Location: Kobe City Hall (Start) to Kobe Harborland (Finish)
- Event Page: https://www.jaaf.or.jp/competition/detail/2073/
FAQ
When is the 2026 Kobe Marathon?
It will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2026. The start point is in front of Kobe City Hall, and the finish point is at Kobe Harborland.
What changes when joining the MGC Series 2026-27?
It becomes a qualifying race for the Japanese national team, and you can earn 'MGC Series Points' for good performance. The series champion is pre-selected for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
What are the conditions to become a representative for the World Athletics Championships?
The series champion is determined by the total points from the two best performances within the qualifying periods of the MGC Series 2025-26 and 2026-27, and is pre-selected as a representative.