Osaka Yodo River Citizens Marathon & Half Marathon
Athlete Entitlements
Samurai Sports Advantage
Race Standard
Now in its 24th edition, the Osaka Yodo River Citizens Marathon (or as we call it unofficially, the Osaka Yodo River Citizens Marathon and Half Marathon) takes place almost entirely along a riverbank. Having skipped the 2020 and 2021 editions due to COVID, the race organizers are ready to welcome runners back after three years!
This is a great warm-up for Japan’s marathon season and is easily accessible by public transportation from downtown Osaka and Kyoto. Both distances are out-and-back with very little elevation. While most of the course is on road or sidewalk, some segments are of varied terrain, including gravel, pebbles, and dirt.
Since 1997, the people of Osaka have come together to host this event for women and men of all ages to enjoy. This year, entry is limited to approximately 7,000 in the half marathon and 6,000 in the marathon respectively – entries close once maximum capacity is reached. A late 9am (half) and 9:40am (full) start will assure runners plenty of time to fuel before the race and stake their spot at the start line.
As per usual in the past few years, Naoko Takahashi will be present on race day. A former national elite runner, Ms. Takahashi was the first woman from Japan to win a gold medal in track and field during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She was also the first woman to break a then-world record to win the 2001 Berlin Marathon.
サムライスポーツは日本国籍以外を対象とした外国人向け専用受付サイトです。日本国籍の方は日本語サイトからお申込みください。日本国籍以外の方がエントリーした場合、無効となる場合があります 。無効となった場合には、返金手数料を差し引き、参加費をご返金させていただきます。
- 00Days
Registration Period
May 9, 2022 - September 15, 2022
Athletes must agree and abide to the following measures to prevent infection and the spread of COVID-19.
・All athletes must wear a mask or face covering at the start/finish area and when walking to and from the race venue.
・Athletes do not need to wear a mask or face covering while running on the race course.
・Each start block/wave will have enough space for approximately 1 to 2 meters of space between athletes. Be conscious of physical distancing and limit conversation.
・All athletes, staff, volunteers, and race-related individuals are strongly recommended to be vaccinated before race day. PCR or antigen tests are also recommended before the race – not just for your own health, but also for those around you.
・All athletes will be asked to take note of and record their wellness and body temperature in the week leading up the event. More information and directions will be made available for registered athletes in October.
・Temperature checks will be strictly enforced upon entry to the event venue on the day of the event. The event organizers have the right to deny entrance to the venue for those who do not pass the temperature checks, or similar wellness checks.
・All athletes, staff, volunteers, and race-related individuals MUST wear masks or similar face covering for the nose and mouth and use the hand sanitizer dispenses at entry and exit points, e.g. at venue entry, by bathrooms. No exceptions. Hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the venue.
・Whenever possible, maintain at least 2 meters or 6 feet of physical distance from one another. Refrain from exchanging high fives or unnecessary physical interactions with others.
・All race packets will be mailed via Japan Post by the race organizers before race day. Athletes should bring the race packet and its contents to the race. Athletes registering with international addresses (including APO/FPO/DPO) may collect their race packet on race day.
・Aid stations are self-service and stock is limited. Athletes must sanitize their hands with provided hand sanitizer before utilizing the aid station and bathrooms.
・All aid station items are individually packaged. Do not share aid station items with other athletes or individuals. Do not litter – dispose of all litter in the appropriate containers or in trash zones.
・No closing ceremony or awards presentation. Results will be posted online.
IMPORTANT
・No deferrals, credits, or refunds will be issued once registration has closed. This applies to incidents in which the race organizers are forced to cancel, postpone, or otherwise delay the event for the safety of athletes, staff, and volunteers. Such incidents include, but are not limited to severe weather, official emergency declarations, natural disasters (including earthquake), pandemic, biochemical or nuclear fallout, and personal circumstances of the participant (including illness, pregnancy, injury or similar catastrophe).
・Athletes registering through Samurai Sports may request a refund in writing via email, up until the last day of registration. Refunds will be processed online minus ¥1,000 transaction fees and administrative fees.
November 6, 2022 (Sunday)
at Yodogawa Riverside Park
0805…Opening ceremony
0900…Half marathon starts
0940…Full marathon starts
1300…Half marathon cut off time
1700…Full marathon cut off time
Half Marathon
¥8,000 (¥9,000 incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Full Marathon
¥9,000 (¥10,000 incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Additional Surcharges
・Each individual race entry incurs a flat fee service charge of ¥1,000.
・Why does Samurai Sports implement a service charge? They help us cover the cost of operating the registration platform, translation of athlete guides/event information, labor hours required to answer your event inquiries, etc. Depending on the event, the surcharges help to cover the cost of our physical presence at the event.
Age Eligibility
・Half Marathon…must be 16 or older (minors require written permission from legal guardians)
・Full Marathon…must be 18 or older
Cut Off Times
・Half Marathon…4 hours
・Full Marathon…7 hours 20 minutes
Full marathon runners must pass three checkpoints within the allotted time to continue the race:
Checkpoint 1 (21KM)…3 hours 40 minutes (by 1320 PM)
Checkpoint 2 (31.5KM)…5 hours 20 minutes (by 1500PM)
Checkpoint 3 (37.2KM)…6 hours 20 minutes (by 1600PM)
Important
・Demonstrate good manners. All participants must be respectful of the natural course environment and do his/her best to preserve it. Be mindful of other runners on course.
・Be a responsible athlete. Please make sure you have the physical ability to complete the course.
Full Marathon, HM…refer to this link
Half Marathon aid stations…8 (tentative)
Full Marathon aid stations…14 (tentative)
・While most of the course is on road or sidewalk, some segments are of varied terrain, including gravel, pebbles, and dirt
Yodogawa Kasen Park – Taishibashi area (start/finish)
3 Chome Taishibashi, Asahi Ward, Osaka, 535-0001
Google Maps
Closest Stations
Keihan Line – Moriguchishi Station (approx. 15 min walk)
Google Maps
Tanimachi Line – Moriguchi Station (approx. 7 min walk)
Google Maps
・Please ensure you have lodging and transportation plans figured out BEFORE registering for this event.
・The most important thing here is to get to Osaka. From Tokyo, Osaka is a little less than 3 hours by shinkansen.
・With a late 0900AM (half) or 0940AM (full) start, you’ll have plenty of time to navigate yourself to Moriguchi station (closest to the race site) using either the Keihan or Tanimachi line.
By Car
From Kyoto, about 1 hours (45KM / 31.1 miles)
From Nagoya, about 2 hours, 30 minutes (about 160KM / 100 miles)
From Osaka, about 20 minutes (8.5KM / 5.3 miles)
By Train
From Kyoto station, about 1 hour to Moriguchi station
From Osaka station, about 20 minutes to Moriguchi station
・Alight at Moriguchishi Station via Keihan Line using the East exit, walk approximately 15 min.
・Alight at Moriguchi Station via Tanimachi Line using the #2 or #4 exit, walk approximately 7 min.
Click here for more access information (Japanese)
Parking
• No parking available
• Public transportation is strongly recommended
Race Notes
・Registration closes once maximum capacity is reached
・Waves are by reported finish time – be judicious and honest in your abilities
・Half marathon maximum capacity: 7,000
・Full marathon maximum capacity: 6,000
・Changing rooms will not be available
・There will be a bag drop-off booth at the tennis courts on race day. Do not leave any valuables in your bag.
・Distance markers are in kilometers every kilometer
・ Please ensure you have lodging and transportation plans figured out BEFORE registering for this event.
General
・ No refunds, deferrals, or credits will be issued. This applies to incidents in which the event is cancelled for any reason including personal participant circumstances of the participant (including illness and injury) and incidents in which the event is cancelled due to unforeseen weather conditions or natural disasters.
・Depending on the event, transfers and certain modifications to your entry may be permitted. Generally, entries may be transferable and/or permit modifications until 3-5 days before the last day of registration. After this period, all transfers are considered illegal and modifications will not be accommodated.
Participants determined to be violating the policies below may be disqualified without a refund:
・Any person found to be bib-swapping (illegal transfer of bib); the person will be held responsible in case of an accident arising from or provoked by the other person during the event.
・Any person found to be registering with inaccurate information, i.e. false declarations of the participants name, age, or gender.
・You will not sue the event organizers nor its affiliates (including Samurai Sports) for any injury or death caused during the event.
・ You consent to and will give all authorities and copyright to the event organizer and affiliates for the use of photography, motion pictures, articles, recordings or any other record of this event (including personal information such as name, age, gender, personal record, portrait, and etc.) for legitimate purposes and use in newspapers, TV, magazines, internet and any media publishing such as Facebook posts, Instagram posts, and pamphlets.
Insurance
・ Those participating and coming from abroad must be enrolled in medical and/or travel insurance in case of accident, injury, and medical emergencies.
・ Before signing up, please carefully read all rules and regulations of the event. If the rules and regulations cannot be followed, participation may be denied by the event organizers. If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to contact us – it is your responsibility to be prepared.
Privacy
・The organizer is aware of the importance of your personal information. The use of personal information conforms to the organizer’s privacy protection law.
・Your personal information is used to provide you valuable services, such as race information, results, service from race affiliates, result ranking, and etc.
・The organizer may release your personal information when your life or body is in a life-threatening situation.
・The race organizer and its affiliates may contact you regarding your registration information.
Athlete Guides
・In most cases, athlete guides in English will be sent via email approximately 7-21 days before the event. However, the delivery of athlete guides is entirely dependent on the timeliness of the event organizers. Samurai Sports takes approximately one to two days from receipt of the Japanese athlete guide to translate into English.
Additional Surcharges
・Each individual race entry incurs a flat fee service charge of ¥1,000.
・Why the additional charges? They help us cover the cost of operating the registration platform, translation of athlete guides/event information, labor hours required to answer your event inquiries, etc. Depending on the event, the surcharges help to cover the cost of our physical presence at the event.
Osaka Yodogawa City Marathon Executive Committee
English
info@samuraisports.co.jp
Japanese
06-6924-2016
info@osaka42195.com
Official Website (Japanese)
http://www.osaka42195.com/index.php