Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon

The Osaka Marathon and Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon were combined in 2022.

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The Lake Biwa Marathon first fired its starting pistol in 1946 in Osaka and is considered to be the oldest marathon held in Japan. In 1962, the marathon moved to Otsu city which is home to Japan’s oldest and largest lake, Lake Biwa. Since this move the race has been renamed the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon.

The course is comparatively flat and considered to be “a fast-speed-course”. Many of the world’s foremost athletes have taken part in this race and establishing great records. The Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon is held on the first Sunday of March every year.