Applications have opened for the Kitakyushu Marathon – celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kitakyushu City in 2014! Organizers are looking for 10,0000 participants for the marathon happening Feb. 9, 2014. From 6/24~ applications are open for 2,000 participants who work or study in Kitakyushu City, and from 7/22 the remaining 8,000 application spots will be open to anyone who wants to join.
The full marathon course, which must be completed within 6 hours, starts at Kitakyushu City Hall, following around Kokura castle, turning at Moji port, and finishing at Kitakyushu International Conference Hall. For the “pair marathon” a team of two complete half the marathon each (available only for 100 pairs), and there’s also a 3 or 5km fun run category (1,000 participants only). Participation fee is ¥10,000. If applications exceed the limit, a draw will decide participants. Organizers expect a ¥570,000,000 economic ripple effect from the event. 1968 Mexico Olympics gold medalist, Kenji Kimihara also joins as a guest runner. Official HP: http://kitakyushu-marathon.jp, Course Map: http://kitakyushu-marathon.jp/coursemap/, Tel.: 093-533-9323
