MGC Series 2026-27: Kobe Marathon 2026 Officially Joins the Series!
The Kobe Marathon 2026 has been officially added as a participating event for the MGC Series 2026-27. This series determines the annual Japanese marathon champion, who will earn a spot on the national team 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: June 2, 2026 at 13:02 (1526h 6m after Collected)
We are pleased to announce that the "Kobe Marathon 2026 (Men's G2/Women's G3)" has been selected as a participating event for the "MGC Series 2026-27," which determines the annual marathon champion (Japanese National Champion).
>> MGC Series Special Website
https://www.mgc42195.jp/series/2025-26/
The "MGC Series 2026-27" covers a two-year period (March 10, 2025, to mid-March 2027), including the previous MGC Series 2025-26. The series champion—the best in Japan, or the Japanese Marathon National Champion—is determined based on the total series score calculated from race results during this period.
The series champion will be provisionally selected for the Japanese national marathon team for the "World Athletics Championships Beijing 2027," to be held in Beijing, China, in 2027.
【MGC Series】
Each series covers a period from the day after the previous series ends until mid-March of the following year, with participants competing for the total series score.
【MGC Series 2026-27 Participating and Designated Events】
(1) MGC Series 2026-27 Participating Events
● The 28th Nagano Marathon (Men's G3)
● Hokkaido Marathon 2026 (Men's/Women's G2)
● Kobe Marathon 2026 (Men's G2/Women's G3) NEW!
(2) MGC Series Point Designated Events
● World Marathon Majors and WA Platinum Label Races
● Japan National Team Dispatch Events
● MGC (Marathon Grand Championship)
Overview of the Series Point Eligibility Period
The "MGC Series Points 2026-27" covers the following two-year period.
The MGC Series points are the total score of the two events with the highest performance points within this period.
*Note: One of the two events must be a participating event of the "MGC Series 2026-27."
● MGC Series 2025-26 (March 10, 2025 – March 1, 2026 for men, March 8, 2026 for women)
● MGC Series 2026-27 (March 9, 2026 – final G1 race of 2027)
Event Information (Participating Event)
【Kobe Marathon 2026】
● Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
● Location: In front of Kobe City Hall (Start), Kobe Harborland (Finish)
● Event Page: https://www.jaaf.or.jp/competition/detail/2073/
*As of March 30, 2026
*Participating events will be added as they are confirmed.
About the MGC Series
The "MGC Series" is an annual series that calculates yearly points based on results from major domestic marathon events to determine the best marathon runner in Japan (Japanese National Champion), known as the Series Champion.
The Series Champion is selected for the Japanese national team for international events designated for each fiscal year.
Additionally, based on performance within the series, it is possible to earn qualification for the "MGC (Marathon Grand Championship)," which serves as the core selection process for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic team.
MGC Series 2025-26 Awards
(https://youtube.com/live/gfHEyJ4caiA)
【MGC Related News】
【MGC Series】
Special Website: https://www.mgc42195.jp/series/2025-26/
【MGC】
Special Website: https://www.mgc42195.jp/
MGC Qualification Criteria: https://www.mgc42195.jp/mgc/outline/condition.html
MGC Fast Pass: https://www.mgc42195.jp/mgc/outline/fast-pass.html
>> MGC Series Special Website
https://www.mgc42195.jp/series/2025-26/
The "MGC Series 2026-27" covers a two-year period (March 10, 2025, to mid-March 2027), including the previous MGC Series 2025-26. The series champion—the best in Japan, or the Japanese Marathon National Champion—is determined based on the total series score calculated from race results during this period.
The series champion will be provisionally selected for the Japanese national marathon team for the "World Athletics Championships Beijing 2027," to be held in Beijing, China, in 2027.
【MGC Series】
Each series covers a period from the day after the previous series ends until mid-March of the following year, with participants competing for the total series score.
【MGC Series 2026-27 Participating and Designated Events】
(1) MGC Series 2026-27 Participating Events
● The 28th Nagano Marathon (Men's G3)
● Hokkaido Marathon 2026 (Men's/Women's G2)
● Kobe Marathon 2026 (Men's G2/Women's G3) NEW!
(2) MGC Series Point Designated Events
● World Marathon Majors and WA Platinum Label Races
● Japan National Team Dispatch Events
● MGC (Marathon Grand Championship)
Overview of the Series Point Eligibility Period
The "MGC Series Points 2026-27" covers the following two-year period.
The MGC Series points are the total score of the two events with the highest performance points within this period.
*Note: One of the two events must be a participating event of the "MGC Series 2026-27."
● MGC Series 2025-26 (March 10, 2025 – March 1, 2026 for men, March 8, 2026 for women)
● MGC Series 2026-27 (March 9, 2026 – final G1 race of 2027)
Event Information (Participating Event)
【Kobe Marathon 2026】
● Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
● Location: In front of Kobe City Hall (Start), Kobe Harborland (Finish)
● Event Page: https://www.jaaf.or.jp/competition/detail/2073/
*As of March 30, 2026
*Participating events will be added as they are confirmed.
About the MGC Series
The "MGC Series" is an annual series that calculates yearly points based on results from major domestic marathon events to determine the best marathon runner in Japan (Japanese National Champion), known as the Series Champion.
The Series Champion is selected for the Japanese national team for international events designated for each fiscal year.
Additionally, based on performance within the series, it is possible to earn qualification for the "MGC (Marathon Grand Championship)," which serves as the core selection process for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic team.
MGC Series 2025-26 Awards
(https://youtube.com/live/gfHEyJ4caiA)
【MGC Related News】
【MGC Series】
Special Website: https://www.mgc42195.jp/series/2025-26/
【MGC】
Special Website: https://www.mgc42195.jp/
MGC Qualification Criteria: https://www.mgc42195.jp/mgc/outline/condition.html
MGC Fast Pass: https://www.mgc42195.jp/mgc/outline/fast-pass.html