The Osaka Marathon Organizing Committee announced on March 27 that it will start accepting applications from 10 a.m. on April 3 for the 4th Osaka Marathon to be held on Oct. 26.

Launched in 2011, Osaka Marathon has developed into Japan's second biggest marathon after Tokyo Marathon, with about 30,000 Japanese and foreign runners participating. The marathon is popular for its scenic course along the route and attracts more than 1.25 million spectators.

Moreover, Osaka Marathon has been held for charity. All runners will be requested to make a donation. The charitable marathon has grown steadily.

There will be a large-scale exposition before the marathon, and foreign runners and visitors can enjoy Japanese food, shopping and amusement parks and other popular sightseeing spots.

The 3rd Osaka Marathon last year drew international attention, attracting 1,547 runners from 35 countries and regions. The Organizing Committee expects many foreigners to run in the 4th Osaka Marathon by taking advantage of a large number of inquiry counters.

An outline of Osaka Marathon and the websites for entry applications in six languages are as follows:

*Outline of Osaka Marathon

Entry applications:

From 10 a.m. on April 3, 2014

Races, maximum number of participants, and participation fees:

(1) Marathon (42.195 km), 28,000 people, 12,000 yen

(2) Challenge Run (8.8 km), 28,000 people, 6,000 yen

* The participation fees apply to entrants from abroad.

* Charity donation of at least 2 units, 500 yen per unit, will be requested in addition to a handling fee of 500 yen.

* Websites for entry applications in six languages

- Official entry application websites

English: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/index_en.html

Japanese: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/

- Entry application websites in other languages

Hong Kong (Traditional Chinese):  

http://www.osaka-marathon.hk

*The website will be available from April 3.

Taiwan (Traditional Chinese):

https://www.osaka-marathon.com/index_tcn.html

South Korea (Korean):

http://www.osaka-marathon.co.kr

Thailand (Thai):

http://www.goadventureasia.com/eventreg.htm

China and Hong Kong

KNT (HK) LIMITED

+852-2735-1166/e-mail info@knt-hk.com

http://www.knt-hk.com

Taiwan

KNT Taiwan Co. LTD

+886-2-8771-7551/e-mail info@knt-taiwan.com

http://www.knt-taiwan.com

South Korea

S&B Tour CO, LTD

+82-2-755-1009/e-mail snbtour@hanmail.net

http://www.snbtour.com

Thailand

KNT TRAVEL (THAILAND) Co., LTD.

+66-2-513-9444/e-mail  kntthai@knt-travel.com

http://www.knt-thailand.com

Other countries and regions

Takayuki Nakazawa

Osaka Marathon Desk

osaka-marathon@gp.knt.co.jp

06-6535-7972

*Osaka Marathon official website:

https://www.osaka-marathon.com/