Key Facts
• Runner registration for the February 2025 Kyoto Marathon has closed.
• Lottery acceptance rate increased to 2.7x, up from 2.1x in the previous year.
• Nintendo, headquartered in Kyoto, became the title sponsor for the event.
• The marathon features the theme “Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary.”
• 34,987 people applied for 12,798 lottery spots.
• Daily applications rose from 170 to 858 after sponsorship announcement.
• 2,386 international runners applied, 600 more than the previous year.
• The Kyoto Marathon began in 2012, with a record 4.5x lottery rate in 2019.
• Post-pandemic lottery rates were 1.6x (2023), 1.8x, and 2.1x.
• Most participants are in their 40s and 50s, nostalgic for childhood memories.
Summary
The Kyoto Marathon, scheduled for February 2025, has seen a significant rise in applicants, with the lottery acceptance rate increasing to 2.7x from 2.1x last year. This surge followed the announcement of Nintendo as the title sponsor, celebrating the “Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary.” A total of 34,987 people applied for 12,798 lottery spots, with daily applications increasing fivefold after the sponsorship reveal. Additionally, 2,386 international runners registered, marking a 600-person increase from the previous year. The Kyoto Marathon, first held in 2012, reached its highest lottery rate of 4.5x in 2019. Post-pandemic rates have steadily climbed, reflecting renewed interest. Organizers attribute the rise in applications to the enduring popularity of Mario, particularly among participants in their 40s and 50s, who may feel nostalgic for their childhood.
