NOK Sponsors Fukushima City Half Marathon 2026, Supporting Regional Revitalization Through Sports

NOK Corporation (Headquarters: Shiba Daimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Group CEO: Masao Tsuru; hereinafter "NOK") will sponsor the "Fukushima City Half Marathon 2026" (organized by the Fukushima City Half Marathon Executive Committee / Fukushima City, Fukushima City Sports Promotion Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Fukushima Athletics Association), to be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, for the second consecutive year. On the day of the event, 10 employees from the NOK Group will participate in the race, and employees will also operate a water station, supporting the event by cheering on the runners. Additionally, as an original novelty item, NOK's hair tie "KKOOR" will be distributed to the first 900 attendees at the corporate booth.

Fukushima City Half Marathon 2026 Logo

This year marks the 4th holding of the "Fukushima City Half Marathon," with a course set to circle Fukushima City (21.0975 km). Runners will experience the vibrancy of the city center and the rich nature of nearby mountains and rivers as they run through the city.

This year, a new 3 km course has been established, and a record 5,742 runners are expected to participate.

The NOK Group has multiple production bases in Fukushima Prefecture. As a group that positions Fukushima as one of its important regions, we will work with the local community to liven up the event through employee participation and cooperation in event operations.

■ NOK Group's Support Initiatives

・Water Station Operation

27 employees from the NOK Group will primarily operate the water station located at approximately the 10 km mark of the half marathon, at Fukushima Toyota Crown Arena.

・Novelty Distribution at Sponsor Corporate Booth

At the sponsor corporate booth located in the Hospitality Park at the FINISH line (Seidensha WINDY Stadium / Shinobugaoka Athletic Field), "KKOOR" hair ties will be distributed to the first 900 attendees.

One hair tie, in pink, light blue, or white, inspired by the logo colors of the "Fukushima City Half Marathon 2026," will be presented.

*The "KKOOR" hair tie is NOK's first B2C product, launched in February 2024.

It features a special shape that securely holds hair while being easy to remove, and is sweat and water resistant, making it ideal for sports.

■ "Fukushima City Half Marathon 2026" Event Outline

・Event Name: Fukushima City Half Marathon 2026

・Organizers: Fukushima City Half Marathon Executive Committee

(Fukushima City, Fukushima City Sports Promotion Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Fukushima Athletics Association)

・Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 (Held rain or shine) *Cancelled in case of stormy weather

・Main Venue: Seidensha WINDY Stadium (Shinobugaoka Athletic Field / 14-1 Furukawa, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture)

Official Website: https://www.fukushimahalf.jp/

Inquiries regarding the release

NOK Corporation CEO Office Corporate Affairs Corporate Communications Department

TEL: 03-5405-6372 Mail: mb_nok_corporate_affairs＠jp.nokgrp.com

■ NOK Corporation

The NOK Group advocates "Essential Core Manufacturing – Monozukuri that bears the essential core areas indispensable to society," supporting "safety" and "comfort" that are fundamental to a prosperous society. With approximately 38,000 employees located in 15 countries and regions, we achieve product development based on accumulated basic research and high-quality, mass, and stable production. We continue to provide technology and products to all industrial fields, including mobility such as automobiles, electronic devices represented by PCs and smartphones, medical and healthcare equipment, industrial robots, and artificial satellites.