The Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon is almost here! The race will kick off on Sunday, April 19th at 8:00 AM. Whether you’re wanting to see the action or avoid the crowds, understanding where and when this marathon will take place will be the key to enjoying your time in Nagano City this Sunday. Here we’ll take you through the itinerary of the race so you can best plan your trip to Nagano.
***Due to road closures for the marathon, we will not be accepting any tours in Nagano City for the duration of Sunday, April 19th.
The Starting Line: Nagano City Athletic Park
The race will commence at 8:00 AM in Nagano City Athletic Park at the Aqua Wing, originally used for ice hockey games during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. From here, the course will meander through the city, stopping at other Olympic landmarks along the way.
Central Square
The next notable location on the route is Central Square, the site of the awards ceremonies for the Olympics and the meeting point for some of our tours. The route will go around the square before turning South. Important Note: Central Square will host the Marathon Welcome Festival on 18 April, so you can expect the area to be much busier than usual. At the festival you will find performance by local dance and music groups as well as food and drink vendors. The Opening Ceremony for the marathon will begin here from 5:00 PM.
Big Hat
The race will go past Big Hat, which was also used as one of the Winter Olympic Sites for ice hockey during the 1998 Olympic Games. Important note: Big Hat will also serve as both the registration venue and the location for number pick-up. As such, expect Big Crowds at Big Hat for the entirety of the day before and the day of the race.
M-Wave
The next stop of the runners’ journey will be M-Wave. M-Wave is an 18,000 seat capacity sports arena that housed the speed skating oval at the Olympics. Today it hosts not just sporting events, but also cultural events, concerts and the 1998 Winter Games Museum.
White Ring
White Ring was the figure skating and short-track speed skating venue during the Olympics. This Sunday, it will serve as the penultimate Olympic landmark for the marathon.
The Finish Line: Olympic Stadium
The Olympic Stadium in Nagano served as the host of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Today, it houses a baseball stadium, soccer field, indoor pool and gymnasium, and more. On Sunday this will be the finish line for the Nagano Marathon.
Important Dates/Times to know
April 18, All Day: Number Pick-up at Big Hat
April 18, All Day: Nagano Marathon Welcome Festival and Opening Ceremony at Central Square
April 19, 8:00 AM: Race Start at the Aqua Wing
April 19, All Day: Various traffic restrictions throughout the city
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