Japan has proven to be one of the most consistent nations in marathon running, but there are reasons why its runners don’t win major international events at the same level as Kenya and Ethiopia.

We will explore some reasons behind this phenomenon.

Comparison of Average Marathon Times (2025)

Women (Average of the 10 fastest per country)

• World: 2:20:24
• Ethiopia (ETH): 2:20:32
• Japan (JPN): 2:28:07
• Kenya (KEN): 2:29:53
• USA (USA): 2:35:03
• China (CHN): 2:38:39
• Morocco (MAR): 2:42:41
• Spain (ESP): 2:43:45
• France (FRA): 2:43:52
• Canada (CAN): 2:46:15
• United Kingdom (GBR): 2:47:15
• >2:50 – Italy (ITA), India (IND), Hong Kong (HKG), South Africa (RSA)

Men (Average of the 10 fastest per country)

• World: 2:05:27
• Ethiopia (ETH): 2:05:35
• Japan (JPN): 2:06:24 (ties historical national record from 2024)
• Kenya (KEN): 2:07:36
• Morocco (MAR): 2:08:47
• Eritrea (ERI): 2:10:10
• China (CHN): 2:12:48
• France (FRA): 2:15:10
• USA (USA): 2:15:43
• India (IND): 2:17:39
• Spain (ESP): 2:17:51
• >2:20 – South Africa (RSA)

Source: @JRNHeadlines

Factors Explaining Japan’s Absence in International Elite Races

Despite having the second-best average marathon time for men (2:06:24, behind only Ethiopia) and women (2:28:07, following Ethiopia and Kenya), Japanese runners do not dominate international tournaments. The reasons include:

1. Intense National Competition

Japan has a highly competitive marathon system at the national level:

• Corporate teams: Companies sponsor athletes and incentivize them to compete in local events rather than traveling to international races.
• The Hakone Ekiden, a university relay race, is a cultural phenomenon that helps develop talent but also limits runners’ international exposure.

For more details on Japan’s approach to running and its impact on corporate success, visit: Driving Corporate Success: Lessons from Japanese Running

2. Differences in Racing Strategies

• Japanese runners tend to race methodically, using conservative strategies focused on endurance.
• In contrast, African runners race in aggressive groups with sudden pace changes, leading to faster times in competitions like Berlin, London, or Valencia.

3. High Training Volumes

• Japanese marathoners often train with extremely high mileage (1,000–1,200 km per month), which builds endurance but may lead to fatigue or lack of explosiveness in top-level marathons.

4. Rigid National Team Selection

• Japan has strict selection criteria for the Olympics and World Championships, requiring athletes to achieve specific times in national events.
• Kenya and Ethiopia, on the other hand, select runners more flexibly, often based on international results.

5. Lack of Exposure to African Competition

• Kenyan and Ethiopian runners train and compete against each other in global circuits, improving their adaptation to unpredictable race strategies.
• Japanese runners remain more isolated within their national system, limiting their ability to adjust to high-level international races.

Races Where Japanese Runners Excel

Japan has a highly competitive circuit of marathons and relay races (Ekidens). Although they may not win the Tokyo Marathon, they achieve great success in the following events:

1. University and Corporate Races

Hakone Ekiden

• The most important university race in Japan is held every January.
• Many runners prioritize this race over international marathons.
• Defines the future of athletes in professional teams.

Fukuoka Marathon

• One of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious marathons.
• Historically, it has been dominated by Japanese runners, though Africans have started winning in recent years.
• Recent Japanese winners: Yuki Kawauchi (2013), Takuya Noguchi (2015).

Osaka Marathon (Women)

• It is one of the few marathons where Japanese women still have a strong chance of winning.
• Example: Mizuki Matsuda won in 2023 with 2:22:17.

2. Elite National Marathons

Beppu-Ōita Marathon

• Key race for selecting Japanese marathoners.
• It is held in February and attracts national elite runners.

Lake Biwa Marathon (until 2021)

• Traditionally, it is one of the most prestigious races for men in Japan.
• Replaced by the Osaka Marathon.

Hofu Marathon

• It was a less publicized race but highly competitive among Japanese runners.

What About Japanese Runners in the Tokyo Marathon?

Since joining the World Marathon Majors in 2013, the Tokyo Marathon has been dominated almost exclusively by Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, both in the men’s and women’s categories.

These athletes arrive with faster personal records and more aggressive race strategies, making it difficult for Japanese runners to match them in this competition.

Additionally, while Tokyo’s course is fast, Japanese runners excel in races where weather conditions or course profiles favor endurance over raw speed.

• Africans impose fast paces early on, while
• Japanese runners adopt a more conservative, progressive strategy, often falling behind in the first stages.

Another key factor is that many Japanese athletes do not prioritize the Tokyo Marathon since they focus on traditional local competitions that are crucial for their professional development and corporate team status.

Who Is the Most Notable Japanese Marathoner?

Yuki Kawauchi

• One of Japan’s most renowned marathoners worldwide.
• First Japanese to win the Boston Marathon in 31 years, claiming victory in 2018 under extreme weather conditions.
• Known as the “people’s marathoner”, Kawauchi competed independently for much of his career outside Japan’s corporate team system.

Achievements & Legacy

• Completed over 100 marathons under 2:20, an extraordinary feat in endurance and consistency.
• Personal best: 2:07:27 (Oita Marathon, 2021).
• I worked as a full-time government employee while training and competing until I turned professional in 2019.

Kawauchi’s impact on Japanese athletics has been significant. He has shown that success is possible outside the traditional corporate system. His fighting spirit and resilience have inspired many, leaving a legacy beyond his race results.

Conclusion

Japan has one of the deepest marathon fields, particularly in men’s races, with an average time of 2:06:24 in 2025 (matching its historical record). However, its focus on domestic competitions and conservative racing strategies prevents its runners from excelling internationally, such as Kenya and Ethiopia.

If Japan integrates more of its runners into major European and American marathons, we could see a more significant impact on world rankings in the coming years.

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