[2][1] The marathon is a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race and a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

[3][4] The inaugural race was held on 27 December 1970.

[5] It was won by Japanese runner Toshihiko Uehara with a finish time of 2:15:49.8.

[6] In 2019, Kawauchi returned to Hōfu to complete his 100th marathon there.

[7][a] The marathon begins in front of the Kirin Lemon Stadium Salt Arena Hofu [ja] and ends on the track of the Kirin Lemon Stadium Athletics Field across the street.