I ran my first full marathon in Japan at Tokyo Marathon 2018 ( see race report here ) before the pandemic. It has been a long while. Even though I applied through the ballot to run at Tokyo Marathon 2024, unfortunately my application wasn't successful and I was not selected.
I could have registered to run the Fujisan Marathon 2024. But I have been to Lake Kawaguchi three times - in 2018, 2019 and last year 2023. So I decided to skip Fujisan Marathon in 2024.
I then asked my Japanese god brother which marathon I should run in Japan instead. He recommended me to run the Kobe Marathon, telling me that it's a very popular full marathon event for the Japanese.
So here I am, excited to run my second full marathon in Japan at Kobe Marathon 2024 on November 17, 2024. There will be 2 waves for 20,000 full marathon runners - Wave 1 to start at 9.00 am and Wave 2 to start at 9.30 am. I'm slotted in Wave 2 to start at 9.15 am. The cutoff time is 7 hours.
By the way, do you know that Kobe is also the birthplace of marathon in Japan? I didn't know that until I saw the stone monument right outside the Kobe City Hall. It was called the Marathon Great Race held in Kobe on March 21, 1909.
Race kit collection
I went to pick up my race kit at Kobe International Exhibition Hall (EXPO venue) on pre-race day Nov 16, 2024. The whole process was a breeze with the world-renowned Japanese efficiency without any hiccups. It's amazing!
Some highlights on race kit collection day:
A special lane was set up for 2,000 overseas runners to pick up race kit with interpreters who speak English.
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A special corner was dedicated for 2,000 overseas runners to spot their names on the "Runners' Wall". I'm glad I spotted mine too, in English and not Japanese though. lol!
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I didn't know that ASICS is headquartered in Kobe, Japan until this Kobe trip. No wonder ASICS booth was so huge at the expo venue.
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A wide variety of finisher t-shirts, caps, souvenirs, etc with "Kobe Marathon 2024" logo were for purchase at ASICS booth.
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Race Kit has running BIB, a pair of ASICS running socks, a pair of yellow gloves, and a big plastic bag for baggage drop-off and collection. Everything is in high quality - the Japan standard! Impressive!
My running BIB number is 26020. And I'm assigned to start at Block J during Wave 2 (9.15 am start time). Since start line (Kobe City Hall) and finish line (Port Island) are different, it's crucial to have the Baggage No. for baggage drop-off and collection. Mine is no. 17. There's also a baggage sticker to be stuck on the given big plastic bag.
I decided to wear this pair of new ASICS running socks with Kobe word in Japanese included in the race kit on the race day.
Full marathon route
The marathon course will let 20,000 runners run from Kobe City Hall, passing Chinatown, Rokko Mountains, then crossing over Akashi Kaikyo Bridge before making a u-turn around 19 km.
Runners then will run past the famous Kobe Port Tower after 30 km, then across Kobe Ohashi Bridge at 40 km to the finish line at Port Island.
Start : Kobe City Hall.
2 km : Chinatown, Kobe
6 km : Rokko Mountains
17 km : Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
21 km : Turn point a west side of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
38 km : Kobe Port Tower
40 km : Kobe Ohashi Bridge
Finish : Kobe International Exhibition Hall at Port Island
The overall 42km course is colourfully drawn out and printed on the event plastic bag.
Race day - Baggage drop-off
I put my bag inside the Kobe Marathon's big baggage bag and dropped it off at truck no. 17 near Kobe City Hall. The truck would then bring all the baggages to the finish line at Port Island. The process again was smooth and greeted politely by friendly volunteers and staff.
Race day start line - block J, wave 2 at 9.15 am on Nov 17, 2024
I started at Block J, Wave 2, at 9.15 am, 15 minutes after the first wave at Kobe City Hall.During the way for flag-off, Kobe Marathon's theme song was played aloud, a minute of silence was also observed for earthquake victims, and yellow gloves were waved high in the air to show support to the earthquake survivors.
We runners at Wave 2 waited after the wave 1 flag-off at 9.00 am. When it got to Wave 2's turn to start 15 minutes later, it took me a while to get to the start line from block J.
With 20,000 full marathon runners running the busiest streets in Kobe City, even splitting into 2 waves and a few starting blocks still saw many runners running shoulder to shoulder in close proximity to each other to cross the start line.
Usually I would target some pacers to follow so that I could gauge my running pace. But I didn't see any pacers in sight on race day.
Therefore, I decided to just listen to my body, to run by feel, and enjoy the beautiful scenic sights of Kobe City without any race strategy.
After all, I was on a 21-day Japan travel trip. And I ran Kobe Marathon so that I could soak and immerse myself in the Japanese running culture and marathon atmosphere as I experienced at Tokyo Marathon 2018. I wanted to re-live those beautiful moments and experiences through running the Kobe Marathon.
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| Photo credit: professional photographer |
Race day - roaring "Ganbatte 頑張って" and "Faito ファイト" from cheering crowds
From the start line to the finish line, I kept hearing thunderous cheering from Japanese crowds. They shouted and chanted " 頑張ってganbatte (good luck!)" and "ファイト faito (don't give up the fight!)." Some waved signs in Japanese.
It seemed as if every Kobe City citizen came out to the streets to cheer the runners throughout the entire 42 km. I never had a moment in sight which I didn't see any local supporters cheering the runners.
I could hear the cheers from the Kobe crowds even louder than at Tokyo Marathon in 2028, largely because the Kobe streets we ran through were much narrower than in Tokyo, bringing runners closer to the cheering crowds on both sides of the roads.
I was so excited that I gave high fives to them, shouting back "ganbattee" and "faito"! And yes, I've learned a new Japanese word "ファイト faito " too!
I really enjoyed the running moments with 42 km full of cheering crowds.
Race day - water stations and food
There were plenty of water stations. Some water stations had rice crackers, Japanese biscuits and snacks, chocolates, mandarin oranges for runners too.
However, no energy gels were provided by Kobe Marathon to runners. I was glad that I brought along with me 4 power gels.
Even the locals offered their food to those who wanted to eat. I stopped at a few, taking up their kind offer, drinking coca-cola, ginseng hot tea, eating unique snacks in nice little packing.
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| Besides the 42 km course map, this big board showed interesting food, fruits, snacks, rice crackers, drinks at various stations during the race. |
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| one of the water stations that I snapped the photo of during the race. |
Race day - first few kilometres
Even with very wide streets in downtown Kobe, runners conquering the streets still ran side by side for many kilometres even after crossing the start line.
At times, I wanted to run faster but I couldn't. Too many runners were in front and at both sides of me. But it's okay (大丈夫 daijobu desu). I just flew with the moments. And I just ran according to the decisions I made during the moments.
Below are some running photos taken by professional photographers as I ran past Chinatown and downtown area. All credits go to the hard working professional photographers.
As you can see, there were many supporters and cheering crowds. Runners were literally running side by side too. But we were all happy and excited!
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| Chinatown, Kobe - with lion dance, shot by professional photographer |
Race day at 19 km - after crossing Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and making u-turn
I saw many runners from wave 1 and wave 2 who had made the u-turn before me and run back on the other side of the road.
I could see all the elite and lean runners running past me. Then I saw other runners too.
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| Returning runners on the same road after u-turn at 19 km. |
To be honest, I didn't know how fast or slow I ran even at this juncture at 19 km. I was looking for pacers to gauge my running pace. Yet, I had not seen any. I thought either I ran too slow (since I started at wave 2); or the pacers started from wave 1- hence they were way far ahead of me already.
I felt a bit discouraged at this point. It was my first time running a full marathon without knowing my pace almost half way through the 42 km.
But I told myself I should not be bothered by it. I should continue to just run according to my body condition and immerse myself in the Japanese crowds .
As Japanese say, I must "faito!"
Below are some running photos taken by professional photographers. Great thanks to them for snapping precious running moments.
Race day at 24 km - spotting 4 hr 30 min pacers
Oh! It must be my prayer being answered!
Out of a sudden, I spotted three 4 hr 30 min pacers right in front of me at 24 km. What a pleasant surprise! I wonder if they were the only pacers for the day! The reason I said that is because I didn't see any other pacers throughout - not 4:00 hour pacers, not 5 hour pacers, not even 6 hour pacers, etc. Strange indeed!
Anyhow, I was so grateful and happy to see the 4 hr 30 min pacers! I thought I was running at much much slower than that.
I quickly checked my watch to see if they were the pacers for Wave 1 or Wave 2. There was a 15-minute apart. I was glad to know that if I managed to stick to these pacers, I might still have a chance to finish the race in 4 hour 30 min.
Quickly and happily, I snapped photos of them from behind with my phone camera in hand. Then I followed behind them as close as possible. What a sigh of relief!
Race day at 27 km - running ahead of 4 hr 30 min pacers
Usually I would be "hitting the wall" soon nearing 30km, and feeling very tired by now.
But as I followed behind the 4 hr 30 min pacers for 3 km from km24 to km27, somehow I felt I still had energy inside of me.
I didn't feel as tired as I was supposed to. Perhaps it was the cheering crowd factor, or the cold weather factor, or eating the Japanese snacks factor, or a good night sleep factor.
I don't know what it was. I just felt like I wanted to continue running at my own pace. And I felt that I could still run faster than 4 hr 30 min pacers. If I hit the wall later, then be it.
Therefore, I decided to overtake the 4 hr 30 min pacers at 27 km and run on my own again following my feel.
Race day at 38 km - running past Kobe Port Tower
Running past Kobe Port Tower was fun!
Many shoppers and tourists were on the main streets. It was their shopping and sight seeing time! Most of them stopped their shoppings and sightseeing. They stood at the roadside to cheer us on as we ran past them!
And I saw people with Gucci paper bags, ladies dressed up nicely, etc cheering us on. I also saw some tourists snapping photos of us runners.
We runners had become a "tourist attraction" to them on this beautiful Sunday in Kobe! It was so awesome!
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| Photo credit: professional photographer |
Race day at 40 km - running across Kobe Ohashi Bridge to Port Island
Running across Kobe Ohashi Bridge, from Kobe City to Port Island, was my most anticipated stretch at Kobe Marathon 2024.
Why? It would be uphill at 40 km when all the energy was exhausted. So I was quite anxious that I might hit the wall now.
But the beautiful scenery of Kobe Port Tower seen from the bridge, as well as the magnificent structure of the red bridge took my attention away from my anxiety of hitting the wall. I stopped for a moment to snap some photos of the bridge as well as the view of Kobe Port Tower area from the bridge. The view was breathtaking! And viola - my tiredness was gone!
I was very happy that my running moments crossing Kobe Ohashi Bridge were captured by professional photographers! Great thanks to them!
Race day at 41 km - approaching finish line at Port Island
As I ran near the finish line, I saw some dance performances. I smiled and waved at them.
Running in Japan is truly enjoyable with all the friendly supporters and courteous volunteers and staff. At Kobe Marathon 2024, they truly helped to lift my fighting spirit high!
Yes, I will always remember the newly learned Japanese word "faito!" from now onwards!
Some photos shot by professional photographers:
Race day at 42 km - crossing finish line at Port Island
Race day at finish line before finisher medal and towel collection
Yippie! I just completed my full marathon no. 37 at Kobe Marathon 2024.
It was truly an enjoyable 42 km journey. I was a happy soul!
When professional photographers asked to pose with finishing smile, I couldn't contain my happiness - not only a big smile but also a big thumb up!
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| Photo credit to professional photographer |
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| Photo credit to professional photographer |
Race day at finish line after finisher medal and towel collection
All the full marathon finishers were greeted and welcome by volunteers and staff.
Instead of just handing out the beautiful Kobe Marathon 2024's finisher towel, volunteers and staff covered each finisher on his/her shoulder with the big finisher towel.
It was such a warm, nice gesture - making each finisher feeling so touched, especially on the cold day in the fall season.
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| friendly staff in yellow |
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| Each finisher was covered with the finisher towel on the shoulder by the staff. Such a beautiful warm gesture! |
Even for the finisher medal, it wasn't just handed out to finishers. Volunteer staff congratulated finishers, then carefully put the finisher medal over the head of finisher.
They truly made all finishers feel as if we were on the podium. And we were all winners as we crossed the 42 km finish line. It truly made us runners feel so good!
Personally, I truly appreciate these little thoughtful gestures at Kobe Marathon.
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| As you can see, they made finishers feel as if we were on the podium - carefully putting the finisher medal over the head of runners. |
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| Congratulations! You are a winner! Let me put finisher medal over your head! |
Great thanks to the volunteer staff who were so willing to help take photos for me with my phone camera.
I chatted with one of the helpful staff who took photo for me.
She noticed me staring at her name tag with her name written in Japanese Hiragana. She then wanted to tell me her name. I quickly said to her, "Stop! Stop! Stop! Let me try to read out your name in Japanese from your name tag." She then gave me some time to gather my thoughts to figure out her name in Hiragana.
When I read aloud her Hiragana name in Japanese to her , she was so shocked that I could read her name correctly. Her whole face brightened up with even bigger smile! That made her very happy! And I was happy too!
Race day at finish line - goodies
Even though no warm food was given to finishers like in Taiwan and Thailand marathons, yet Kobe Marathon provided interesting goodies - the famous premium hard-boiled egg, the nicely printed water packet, some Japanese cookies and banana.
Race day at finish line - baggage pick-up
After getting my finisher towel, finisher medal, goodies and getting my photos taken by volunteers and professional photographers, I headed to the baggage pick-up area to look for my bag at baggage block no. 17. Again, the whole process was so organised and smooth!
Kobe Marathon 2024's finisher medal
Kobe Marathon 2024's race result
I thought I would have finished the race around 5 hours or more, especially with the "runner / human traffic" stretched over many kilometres, some narrow roads, no pacers to follow behind, and wave 2 start line. Not to mention running across two bridges.
I was pleasantly surprised with my finish net time of 4 hours 19 minutes. It was truly beyond my expectation. I was very grateful.
Most importantly, I enjoyed the 42 km running journey.
This Kobe Marathon 2024's running journey allowed me to:
- see the beautiful Kobe City on running foot
- run on the streets with 20,000 fellow Japanese runners
- hear the non-stop thunderous cheers of "頑張ってganbatte (good luck!)" and "ファイト faito (don't give up the fight!)." by Japanese locals and volunteers
- experience the world-class Japanese hospitality
- immerse myself in the unforgettable unique running atmosphere in Japan
Such running experiences will definitely stay in my heart and memory for many many years to come!
Summary
Event Name: Kobe Marathon 2024
Event Date: November 17, 2024
Distance: 42 km full marathon
Full Marathon No. in all countries: No. 37
Full Marathon No. in Japan: No. 2 (Tokyo Marathon 2018, Kobe Marathon 2024)
Running Shoe: Asics Evoride Speed
Run Time: 4 hours 24 minutes 19 seconds
Net Time: 4 hours 19 minutes 28 seconds
