29th Ichikawa Riverside Marathon

The Ichikawa Riverside Marathon is a community road race run entirely on the cycle road that follows the Edogawa river embankment in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture. It is organised and operated by a race committee of volunteer staff from within the city, and the venue sits close to the station so families, friends and children can take part together. Racing is on a lapped loop along the riverbank, which means anyone who goes past their time limit cannot begin another lap. Six events fill the day, from a half marathon through 10km, a 10km relay, 5km and a 2km mini marathon for primary school children to a 1km parent and child pair race. Race numbers are handed out at the on-the-day reception desk rather than posted in advance, and the opening ceremony starts at 8:40 before the first runners set off at 9:15.