Two Miami Beach runners will lace up on the Shonan Coast of Japan in January 2027, representing the city as goodwill ambassadors at the 17th Shonan Fujisawa City Marathon.

The Miami Beach Sister Cities Program is accepting applications for two spots in the half-marathon, set for Sunday, Jan. 24, 2027, in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Interested runners can apply through the Miami Beach Economic Development portal at mbbiz.gosmart.org or email [email protected] for details.

The JAAF-certified course covers 13.1 miles along the coastline near Enoshima, with views of Mt. Fuji. The start gun fires at 8:30 a.m. local time. General registration for the race's 6,500-runner field closed June 25, but the sister-city program secures special entry for its selected ambassadors.

The program also sent a runner to the same race in January 2026.

Jason DuBois, a Miami Beach fitness coach, posted a personal-record 1:18:22 on that course, running on behalf of the city through the same sister-city partnership.

@jasonduboisfitness: "Half marathon PR 1:18:22 on the beautiful roads of Fujisawa with Mt Fuji towering over us. I was extremely honored to run on behalf of Miami Beach as they continue to grow their 67 year long sister-city relationship with the amazing people of Fujisawa. Kanpai to the liaisons of the city of Fujisawa that have shown us an incredible time here."

DuBois's 1:18:22 placed him well ahead of the recreational pack in a race that drew 10,762 participants. The overall winning time for the 2026 edition was 1 hour, 5 minutes, 47 seconds.

Miami Beach and Fujisawa have maintained their sister-city partnership since 1959, according to city records. It is one of Miami Beach's 13 international sister-city relationships and one of its oldest.

The 2027 race follows the Enoshima/Shonan coastline in Kanagawa Prefecture, roughly 30 miles southwest of Tokyo. Fujisawa, a coastal city known for hosting yachting events during the 1964 Summer Olympics, sits at the base of the Shonan coast.

Applications are open at mbbiz.gosmart.org. No deadline has been publicly announced.