I am deeply honored that the City will be able to host the Sendai International Half Marathon 2025 on such a grand scale, during the most beautiful season of fresh verdure in Sendai, the City of Trees. I would also like to extend a hearty welcome to all participants, on behalf of the 1.09 million citizens of the City of Sendai.

The Sendai International Half Marathon has grown steadily in line with our goal of becoming the top half marathon in Japan. Again this year, we will welcome a variety of participants, including citizens from across Japan, top-level runners active on the global stage, runners from Sendai’s International Sister and Friendship Cities and other partner cities, as well as wheelchair racers. I believe this variety is sure to bring a diverse appeal and excitement to the race.

I hope all participants will complete the course and get a feeling for the vibrancy of City of Trees, as they run past such iconic sights as the sunshine sparkling off the surface of the Hirose River, and the early summer daylight filtering through the leaves on Jozenji-dori Avenue, all while taking in Sendai’s greenery and ever-evolving cityscape. I also wish for all runners to fully enjoy the best of Sendai after the race, such as by trying the local seasonal delicacies from the mountains and sea, and I wish for each and every participant to create some unforgettable memories in Sendai.

Sendai is waiting in excitement to welcome participants with open arms thanks to the help of approximately 2,000 volunteers.

To close, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to all the companies and organizations that support and sponsor the Sendai Half Marathon 2025, as well as to the many others involved in the organization of this event, including the Miyagi Prefectural Police Headquarters.

On the joyous occasion of the grand opening of the 2025 Sendai International Half Marathon, where athletes will run through the fresh greenery that adorns the City of Trees, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all runners.

First held in 1991, this year’s race will be attended by 10,000 runners, the same number as last year’s race, making it the same scale as before the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, two new categories of participants have been added to the race: the Hometown Tax Division (Furusato nozei) for individuals who live outside of Sendai City, and the Fresh Green (Shinryoku) Challenge Division for first-time runners or those aiming to complete the course within two hours. I am confident that the performances of all runners will bring energy, courage, and strength to the revitalization of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture and the Tohoku region, where 14 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

I also believe that the course of this race will allow participants to experience the charm of the city. The race course is divided into five areas, including an area with iconic historical and geographical locations such as the site of Sendai Castle and the Hirose River; the Sendai Station East area which showcases an impressive new cityscape, and along the verdant, zelkova-lined Jozenji-dori Avenue. I hope that all the participants will be able to run through the race course while being cheered on by spectators.

My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone involved in organizing this event and to the spectators who will enliven the race by cheering the runners on along the way.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all runners from throughout Japan as well as from abroad who are participating in the Sendai International Half Marathon 2025.

Sendai, the City of Trees, is renowned for its urban cityscape which exists in harmony with beautiful nature. This course is designed so that runners will get a feel for the city center as well as take in the history and geography of the area in locations such as the Hirose River, the Site of Sendai Castle, and the zelkova tree boulevard of Jozenji-dori Avenue. While the course features a large amount of flat ground, it also has a fair share of slopes, which I believe will pose a good challenge and satisfy both those wishing to set records and those hoping to enjoy the scenery of the city.

Tohoku Broadcasting will cover the dramatic moments, the excitement and touching scenes of the race through television, radio broadcasts and video streaming, bringing them to a wider audience.

Lastly, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to those involved in organizing Sendai International Half Marathon 2025 and to the volunteers who support the event, and I would like to wish the event and all the participants the very best of success.

On behalf of the residents of Miyagi Prefecture, I would like to offer my congratulations on the grand start of the Sendai International Half Marathon 2025 in the City of Trees, where the season of fresh green has just begun. I would also like to extend a hearty welcome to runners from home and abroad who have come to Miyagi Prefecture for this occasion.

The Sendai International Half Marathon has established itself as a seasonal tradition in Sendai, and is one of the most prominent races of its kind in Japan, boasting a history of over three decades. The residents of Miyagi prefecture will be greatly looking forward to personally cheering on the participants. I wish for all runners to be able to run through the verdant cityscape of Sendai to their hearts’content. Moreover, I hope that after finishing the race, runners will have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary delights of “Food Kingdom Miyagi”, nourished by the fertile sea, mountains, and soil of Miyagi Prefecture, to make this event even more memorable.

Lastly, I would like to express my utmost respect and gratitude to everyone involved in the organization of the Sendai International Half Marathon 2025. May this event be a great success, and best of luck to all runners.

I would like to offer my congratulations for the grand start of the Sendai International Half Marathon 2025, which takes place in the City of Trees, just as the fresh greenery emerges. This year will again welcome around 10,000 participants, and I would also extend both my deepest thanks and heartfelt welcome to all who have come to Sendai from home and abroad.

The Sendai International Half Marathon is loved as staple of early summer in Sendai, and one of the most notable features of the race is the prominent featuring of the city’s landmarks along its course, such as the central zelkova-lined boulevards of Aoba-dori Avenue and Jozenji-dori Avenue, and the Hirose River.

With 10,000 participants taking part, there are 10,000 different ways to enjoy the race. There are those who will be challenging their own record, those whose goal is to finish the race, and those who want to enjoy themselves with fellow participants. I hope all participants will enjoy their time and create unforgettable memories through the event.

Lastly, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to everyone involved in organizing, including the volunteers who support the management of the event. I hope for the success of this year’s half marathon and offer my most heartfelt wishes with a “Good luck!” to all participants.