[1] The race had a strictly looped course in the city of Sapporo which doubled back on itself, having Maruyama Stadium as the start and end point.

[2] The competition was broadcast live on national television each year via Nihon TV.

[4] The competition doubled up to act as the national selection race for the 2010 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.

[5] The Japanese Olympic marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi set a women's course record of 1:08:14 in 2006.

[6] Kenya's Mekubo Mogusu is the only runner to finish the course in under an hour, with his men's course record set in 2007 standing at 59 minutes and 54 seconds.