Methodology
Race Scoring Methodology
Our 8-dimension framework for evaluating Japanese marathons — transparent, data-driven, and built for international runners.
Every race on Run in Japan is scored across eight independent dimensions, each rated 1–10. The scores are anchor-based: five fixed reference points per dimension define what each integer range means. This makes scores comparable across races and over time, regardless of who does the rating.
Scoring principles
- 8 dimensions, each scored 1–10. Higher is always better; there are no reverse dimensions.
- Anchor-based scoring: five anchor points (10 / 8 / 5 / 2 / 1) per dimension define what each range means. Scores between anchors are interpolated by judgment.
- Data sources are listed for each dimension. Scores are only assigned when there is an evidence basis.
- The Recommendation badge (Worth a special trip / Great if passing through / Not worth a long journey) is independent of the 8 numeric dimensions.
- Unknown data is marked Unknown; we do not guess.
1. PB Friendliness 🏃
Measures: How likely this course is to produce a fast finish time.
Data sources:
- Official elevation map
- Course map (turns / U-turns)
- Historical finish time distributions (RUNNET / official results)
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | Flat net-downhill, wide roads, few turns, fast historical splits (e.g. Osaka, Tokyo first half) |
| 8 | Mostly flat, gentle slopes, few turns, good surface |
| 5 | Moderate elevation, some technical sections or U-turns, average surface |
| 2 | Noticeable hills, dense U-turns, or narrow roads, slow historical times |
| 1 | Trail/mountain terrain, extreme elevation, times irrelevant |
2. Entry Accessibility 🎫
Measures: How easily an overseas runner can actually secure a bib (higher = easier).
Data sources:
- Entry method (first-come / lottery)
- Historical lottery rates
- Overseas quota
- Charity / travel agent guaranteed slots
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | First-come rarely sells out, or large guaranteed overseas quota |
| 8 | First-come sells out but predictable, or lottery >70%, or stable charity/agent channels |
| 5 | Lottery ~30–50%, or sells out fast but manageable |
| 2 | Lottery <15% (Tokyo-level difficulty) |
| 1 | <5% or effectively closed to overseas |
3. Completion Tolerance ⏱
Measures: How lenient cutoff times and pace requirements are for slower / newer / older runners (higher = more lenient).
Data sources:
- Official total cutoff
- Split cutoffs
- Minimum pace requirement
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | 7+ hour cutoff, lenient splits, explicitly welcomes run-walk |
| 8 | 6–7 hours |
| 5 | 5–6 hours (typical Japanese standard) |
| 2 | 4–4.5 hours, strict splits |
| 1 | <4 hours, competitive runners only |
4. Climate 🌤
Measures: Race-day temperature, humidity, precipitation probability; optimized for subtropical runners from China / HK / Taiwan / SE Asia.
Data sources:
- Historical weather data for race location and month
- (temperature / humidity / precipitation probability)
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | 5–12°C, low humidity, low precipitation, Dec–Feb ideal marathon weather |
| 8 | Cool ~8–14°C, occasional rain, late autumn / winter |
| 5 | Variable ~10–18°C, some rain or temperature variance risk |
| 2 | Warm/humid risk (early spring / early summer), no clear climate advantage |
| 1 | Hot/humid race period, or high rain probability, poor conditions |
5. Overseas Friendliness 🌏
Measures: End-to-end experience quality for non-Japanese runners: information access, registration, race day.
Data sources:
- Official website language versions
- Registration page overseas support (foreign credit cards, no Japanese address required)
- Customer service languages
- Race-day English signage / announcements
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | Full Chinese + English registration portal, overseas help desk, race-day English signage and broadcast |
| 8 | English registration page, some overseas support, no agent required |
| 5 | English info page but registration mostly Japanese, workarounds needed (foreign cards work but page is Japanese) |
| 2 | Nearly all Japanese, requires Japanese address / phone or proxy agent |
| 1 | Domestic only, overseas practically unable to register |
6. Aid & Food 🥘
Measures: Aid station density + food quality including Japanese specialties.
Data sources:
- Official aid station location map (frequency)
- Food / drink item list
- Race reports
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | ~every 2–3 km, includes famous local specialties (regional food / warm items) |
| 8 | Good density, some local foods |
| 5 | JAAF-standard density (~every 5 km), water + sports drink, light snacks |
| 2 | Sparse, basic water only |
| 1 | Minimal, barely meets minimum requirements |
7. Atmosphere 🎉
Measures: Crowd cheering intensity along course + post-race 2–3 day tourism value.
Data sources:
- Crowd density along course
- Special cheering sections
- City tourism resources
- Firsthand reports
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | Wall-to-wall crowd, world-class tourism city (e.g. Kyoto, Tokyo) |
| 8 | Lively crowds, good post-race tourism |
| 5 | Moderate crowd, city has some attractions |
| 2 | Rural course, sparse crowd, limited area tourism |
| 1 | Remote, virtually no crowd, nothing to do after |
8. Family Friendliness 👨👩👧
Measures: Experience for runner traveling with partner / kids.
Data sources:
- Kids run / family event offerings
- Finish area amenities
- Stroller accessibility
- Medical coverage
- Family tourism resources
| Score | Anchor |
|---|---|
| 10 | Dedicated kids run / family events, comfortable finish waiting area, stroller-friendly, strong medical, great family city |
| 8 | Some family programming or excellent supporter logistics, good family experience |
| 5 | Standard race, family can attend but no special arrangements |
| 2 | Difficult for family (remote, poor facilities, long waiting) |
| 1 | Not suitable for families |
Recommendation badge
The badge is an editorial judgment that sits above the numeric scores. It answers: “Should an international runner specifically plan a trip around this race?”
Worth a special trip
Worth booking a dedicated international trip for this race alone.
Great if you're passing through
Strongly recommended if already in Japan or nearby; not worth a standalone trip.
Not worth a long journey
Experience doesn't justify cross-border travel; consider if local or nearby.
Total score
- Total = equal-weight average of all rated dimensions (unrated dimensions are excluded from the average).
- Custom weighting is available in the race comparison table so you can prioritize what matters most to your trip.
- The total is for sorting reference only; individual dimensions tell the full story.
Scoring standard v1.0 — 2026-06-15. Anchor points are frozen after the first 10 races are rated; any changes will be published with a version number and changelog.