Fukuoka hosts the annual Fukuoka International Marathon in Japan.
The race was first held in 1947 and became one of the most respected men’s marathons for elite runners. It is traditionally staged in Fukuoka, on Japan’s Kyushu Island, and has been associated with fast times and strong international fields.
The event has had several official names during its history, including the Asahi Kasei Fukuoka International Marathon. Its course and eligibility rules have changed, and in recent years it has emphasized elite and invited competitors rather than operating like a mass-participation city marathon.
Fukuoka is also the city where Robert de Castella set a world record of 2:08:18 in 1981. That performance helped strengthen the race’s reputation as a venue for high-level marathon running. Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya host other major Japanese road races, but they are separate events.