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The 2nd Hotaru-no-Sato Relay Marathon is held at Tatsuno Hotaru Doyo Park in Tatsuno Town, Nagano Prefecture, a place known for its Genji fireflies. Teams of four to twelve runners share a 21 km relay on a 1.5 km loop through the park within a two hour limit, handing the tasuki to one another beside the start. The circuit is wrapped in deepening autumn colour and cool seasonal breezes, and the day is a relaxed team affair open to elementary school children and adults alike. Onigiri rice balls, pork miso soup and other tastes of autumn are sold at the venue during the event.
1.5 km park loop among autumn foliage
Relay exchange area on the Fureai Hiroba lawn
Tatsuno Hotaru Doyo Park, famous for its Genji fireflies
Qualification
Start / Finish
Fureai Hiroba lawn area inside Tatsuno Hotaru Doyo Park
Same as the start, the Fureai Hiroba lawn area inside Tatsuno Hotaru Doyo Park
Terrain
Route
Race Day
What you get
Sports injury insurance arranged by the organiser
Local specialities such as apples and local sake
Shop on site (売店)
On the day
Food vendors
Merchandise
Before you enter
Other questions
Anyone from elementary school age upwards who is healthy enough to complete one 1.5 km lap of the circuit on their own can take part. Runners under 18 need parental consent.
A team can be made up of 4 to 12 people.
There is a General category (elementary school age and above, with at least one woman on the team), an Elementary category (all members in elementary school, with up to one teacher, coach or guardian registered) and a Masters category (all members aged 50 or over).
The relay covers a half marathon, 21 km, on the 1.5 km park circuit, so a team completes roughly 14 laps, passing the tasuki between members. The time limit is two hours.
Entries are accepted from 8 October 2026 at 00:00 until 19 October 2026 at 18:00. Entry closes early if the field fills before the deadline.
Entry fee
Registration isn't open yet. We'll show pricing when the organiser confirms.Tatsuno, Japan
Expected November 2027
Provisional date, around Nov 7Are you the organiser of 2nd Hotaru-no-Sato Relay Marathon - Half Marathon (21km)?
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