Race Information

Host Organizations

JOC (Japanese Olympic Committee) / JAAF (Japan Association of Athletics Federations)
Nagano Prefecture / Nagano City / The Shinano Mainichi Shinbun Inc.

Co-Host

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

Special Associates

Nagano Association for the Promotion of the Olympic Movement / Hellenic Amateur Athletic Federation (SEGAS) / SBC

Superintendent

Nagano Amateur Athletic Association

Patrons

Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology / Nagano Prefecture Board of Education / Nagano Prefecture Amateur Sports Association / Kyodo News Agency / Nagano City Board of Education and others

Cooperating Organizations

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport / Nagano Prefectural Police Department
Nagano Highway Public Corporation / Nagano Prefecture Medical Association
Nagano Prefecture Traffic Safety Confederation and others

Race Date and Starting Time

8:35 a.m., Sunday, April 20, 2008

Event

Marathon (42.195km)

Course

Nagano Olympic Memorial Course
Starting Point: Nagano Sports Park
Finishing Point: Nagano Olympic Stadium
*Accredited by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and AIMS.

Competition Rules

Pursuant to the rules of the Japan Association of Athletics Federations for the year 2008 and those outlined by the event organizers.

Time Limit for Finish

5 hours

Gate Regulations

Gates are set up every 5km with closing times scheduled as stated below. Athletes who arrive at a gate after the closing time will not be allowed to participate in the race thereafter.
Furthermore, those who are still running between the gates in question after the closing time have to stop.

＜Gate Closing Times＞
5.1km: 47mins (after the start) 
10.4km: 85mins 
14.8km: 115mins 
20.9km: 157mins 
25.0km: 185mins 
30.6km: 225mins 
35.7km: 260mins 
39.8km: 288mins

*Gate points and the closing times are subject to change.

Eligibility

1) Invitational Athletes:
Japanese and non-Japanese athletes with the recommendation of the JAAF and hosting committee.

2) Open Category:
Men and women 18 years of age or older as of April 20, 2008. (High School students are not allowed to participate in this race.)

Entry Quota

8,000 people (in order of receipt of application)

Entry Fee

6,000 Japanese Yen (Including souvenir kit and finisher's certificate)

Entry Term

Once 7,000 entries are received, registration will close and those received thereafter will be refused but entry fees received will be fully refunded.

Participants Receive

Original T-shirt, and others. 
*A finisher will receive a "Finisher's towel" upon finishing.

Awards

1) Overall: 
1st-8th in both the women's and men's categories will be awarded respectively.
2) Age Group Awards:
1st-6th place, in men's and women's (exclusive of overall award winners) in the following age categories will receive awards. However they will be mailed- there will be no awards ceremony on race day for age group winners. 

Age Groups:

18-29	30-39	40-49
50-59	60-69	over 70

Participation Rules

• All participants should be able to run a full marathon in 5 hours. After the entry is made, start training for the race.
• Participants are responsible for undergoing a physical examination administered by a doctor prior to the race to ensure sound physical condition.
• Race officials have the right to stop runners who appear unable to run further or who are interfering with other runners (i.e. running backwards or in an otherwise irregular manner).
• Runners must honor closing gate times, any objections will not be tolerated.
• The organizers will guarantee for the provision of first-aid medical help for injuries occurring during the race only. Any additional and/or other medical assistance required is the responsibility of the participant. It is hereupon requested that participants arrange for accident insurance in advance of participating in the race. The organizers will make no provision for accident insurance on behalf of participants.
• Substitute runners are prohibited. Upon detection, the participant will be disqualified.
  Furthermore, the substitute runner is not covered by marathon insurance
• Participants are requested to agree in advance to have their pictures taken during the race and possibly used in printed matter such as the event program or on the marathon website.
  They also are required to allow sponsors free use of their pictures for entrants' brochures and newspapers.
• Participants are not supposed to wear or post anything that advertises a particular brand, company name or design in the event area (marathon course included). Running in disguise is not allowed.
• No costumes or disguises are allowed. As well, participants must obey all instructions by the officials.
• Doping Testing will be conducted after the race on selected athletes. Selected athletes are requested to cooperate with officials and take the test.

Others

• Visually handicapped runners are required to run with accompanying runners. Accompanying runners are obliged to indicate as such clearly.
• Though we provide water, sport drinks and sponges at aid stations, we can not make arrangements for special drinks for everyone because of operational reasons. Please understand special drinks are provided only for invitational runners.
• The organizers agree to keep all personal information, such as name, address etc. confidential.
  However for sake of competition result posting and mailing notifications, the organizers reserve the right to use.
• In the case of an unforeseen occurrence (i.e. natural disaster) whereby the marathon must be cancelled, entry fees will not be refunded.
• All personal valuables are the responsibility of the participants. Organizers accept no responsibility for lost or stolen items.
• Entries cannot be changed or cancelled. In the event that a participant is not able to participate, entry fees will not be refunded.
• The race will be timed with an RT tag (Runners Torso Tag). Make sure that the RT tag is attached to your shoes before the race (the RT tag will be provided with your race number).
• Awards for the overall category will be based on the time from the starter's pistol. Awards for age categories, however, will be based on chip time (from the time the runner crosses the starting line to crossing the finishing line).