The tournament that integrates the "Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon" and the "Osaka Marathon", which have the longest history in Japan, will be held in Osaka City in February next year.
The Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon, which has a history of 76 times, is difficult to become a citizen's marathon, which is highly evaluated internationally due to the traffic conditions of the course. It showed a policy of integration.
The Organizing Committee of the "Osaka Marathon" held on the 13th approved the integration of the two races, and the first competition will be the "10th Osaka Marathon / 77th Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon Integration Competition" on February 27th next year. I decided to hold it as.
The finish point will be partially changed around the current course, and the event will be held as the "Osaka Marathon" from next year onwards.
The integrated tournament is expected to be a race that represents Japan as a large-scale citizen marathon in which top athletes from Japan and overseas also participate.
Masayoshi Matsumoto, chairman of the Organizing Committee, touched on the February Biwako Mainichi Marathon, which was the last race to be held in Shiga Prefecture. I am deeply moved by the integration of the Osaka Marathon. It is attractive for citizen runners to be able to run with top athletes, and I would like to further develop while maintaining the role of the citizen marathon. "
NHK will broadcast the tournament on TV.