Athlete Entitlements

Samurai Sports Advantage

  • Easy registration

    Register in English without creating an account

  • Translated English athlete guide

    The information you need to complete your race safely

  • Modify & transfer your entry

    Change categories, transfer entry, and self-edit up until 3-5 days before registration closes *fees may apply

  • English email support

    Ask questions - and get answers!

  • Race day packet collection

    Pick up your race packet on race day

  • Post race follow-up

    Receive links to results, photos

Race Standard

  • Age Group awards

  • Event insurance

  • Race towel

  • Lunch (bento & hot soup)

  • Local produce gift box

  • On-course aid stations

  • Timed race results

    View official results online

about the race

The Gassan Ryujin (Half) Marathon is a homegrown road race where everyone’s welcomed warmly from start to finish! The steady climb to the 10.5KM mark might fatigue your legs but you’ll be flying to the finish line on this out-and-back course. Race through the rural calm of Shonai Town in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture and experience the Japanese “omotenashi” spirit with local cuisine, nature, and hospitality.

Nearby is the sacred Mt. Gassan and the famous Tachiyazawa River, which was selected as one of the most exquisite bodies of water in Japan! Yamagata Prefecture is also known for harvesting some of Japan’s most delicious rice. As you finish the race, you’ll be surrounded by loud cheers and support from the local neighborhood – they will also welcome you back with their famous ‘onigiri’ rice balls and potato soup. This race is a perfect combination for those who love nature and food!

サムライスポーツは日本国籍以外を対象とした外国人向け専用受付サイトです。日本国籍の方は日本語サイトからお申込みください。日本国籍以外の方がエントリーした場合、無効となる場合があります 。無効となった場合には、返金手数料を差し引き、参加費をご返金させていただきます。

  • 00Days

Want to learn more?

Registration Period

TBA (June 12, 2019 - Sept 28, 2019)

2022 schedule TBA
2020, 2021 cancelled due to COVID-19

*2019 schedule
October 13, 2019
at Kiyokawa Grounds
0700-0830…Race packet collection
0810…Opening ceremony
0845…Half Marathon Start
0910…10KM Start
0930…5KM Start
0950…3KM Start
1015…1.2KM Family Duo Start
1020…3KM COT
1030…Awards Ceremony, 5KM COT
1040…10KM COT
1045…1.2KM Pair COT
1145…Half Marathon COT
1200…Rock-paper-scissor competition

* times are subject to change

General (all distance)
¥4,000 (¥5,000 incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

High school student (all distances)
¥1,500 (¥2,500 incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

Elementary/Middle school student (3KM)
¥1,000 (¥2,000 incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

Family Pair
¥2,500 (¥3,500 incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

Additional Surcharges
・If total cost is ¥10,000 or less, you will incur a flat fee service charge of ¥1,000.
・If total cost is more than ¥10,001, you will incur a service charge amounting to 10% of total cost.
Why does Samurai Sports implement a service charge? They help us cover the cost of operating the registration platform, translation of athlete guides/event information, labor hours required to answer your event inquiries, etc. Depending on the event, the surcharges help to cover the cost of our physical presence at the event. 

Age Eligibility
・HM, 10KM, 5KM…High school or older (18+)
・3KM…Elementary school or older (6+)
・1.2KM Family duo…Preschool to 3rd grade, plus adult (18+)

Cut Off Times
・HM…3 hours
1oKM…1 hours 30 minutes
5KM…1 hours
3KM…30 minutes
1.2KM…30 minutes

Thinking of registering? 
・Participants should be in good health with the ability, fitness and energy to complete the entire race.
・Participants should have a strong understanding of road racing etiquette and hold themselves accountable to the surrounding natural environment, the course, and others on the course, including vehicles.
・Demonstrate good manners, be respectful of the natural course environment, and be mindful of others on the course.

All distances…refer to this PDF

Half Marathon Aid Stations…7
10KM Aid Stations…4
5KM Aid Stations…2
3KM Aid Stations…2
1.2KM Aid Stations…1

Kiyokawa Grounds (start/finish)
Hanazaki-1-2 Kiyokawa, Shonai, Higashitagawa District, Yamagata 999-6606
0234-57-2211
Google Maps

Kiyokawa Station (closest station)
Google Maps

This area is difficult to access by public transportation, we recommend taking a private vehicle or rental car. Please ensure you have lodging and transportation plans figured out BEFORE registering for this event.

By Car
From Tokyo Station, about 6 hours 10 minutes. (458KM/285 miles)
From Yokota AB, about 6 hours 15 minutes. (460KM/286 miles)
From Niigata, about 2 hours 45 minutes. (171KM/106 miles)
From Nagano, about 5 hours. (356KM/221 miles)

By Train
From Tokyo Station, about 5 hours.
From Yokota AB, about 6 hours 10 minutes.
From Niigata, about 3 hours.
From Nagano, about 5 hours 30 minutes.

Parking
・Free
・The parking lot has no specific address; please refer to “Start and Finish Line” for map guidance. 

All distances
Top 3 age group men/women

Age Groups
4th-6th grade, Junior High School, High School, 18-39 years old, 40-59 years old, >60 years old

Half Marathon Champion: One year’s supply of Tsuyahime Rice
10KM Champion: Half year’s supply of Tsuyahime Rice

2018 Results…click here
2019 cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis

Race Notes
・Your bib must be placed on your chest & your timing chip must be on your shoes. You may be disqualified if your bib number is not placed properly. However, the Family Pair race is not timed so you can finish the race together with only the bib (no timing chip).
・Family Pair will only receive one (1) finisher’s certificate
・You will return the timing chips after the race. You must return the timing chip even if you decide not to participate in the race, or if you get disqualified or withdraw from the race. You will be charged ¥5,000 for damaged or lost timing chips.
・ Refer to the separate course map for each race. There will be 8 water aid locations for the half marathon, 5 water aid stations for the 10KM, 3 water aid stations for the 5KM, and 2 water aid stations for the 3KM. (subject to change)
・ Please be ready at the start line 10 minutes before the start time. Start times are subject to change so please be prepared and arrive early.
・ Runners should generally run on the left side of the road.
・ You are responsible for your own health. If you do not feel well on the day of the race, have the courage to withdraw from the race.
・ There are cut-off times to ensure a smooth and safe transition for the general traffic and race volunteers. Follow event staff directions if you do not meet the cut-off times.
・ Emergency vehicles have the right of way.
・ For half marathon, 10KM, 5KM, and 3KM, there will be intersections and railroad tracks to cross. You may be asked to stop a minute before the train arrives. Always follow event staff directions and use your common sense.
・ All registered through Samurai Sports must pick up their race packet on the day of the event between the hours of 0700 and 0830. Details regarding packet pick-up will be enclosed in your athlete guide sent 7-21 days before the event.
・Your race packet will contain the following: timing chip, bib, and a ticket to claim your participation certificate. All lost or unreturned timing chips will result in a charge of ¥5,000
・ THERE IS NO BAG CHECK SERVICE. You are responsible for your own bags. However, there will be a place to hold your valuables. The event organizers will hold up to 1 envelope of personal belongings per runner.
・There will be changing areas, but it will get congested so we recommend runners dressed ready to race.
・ Photos on sale are all approved by the event organizer.
・ Park only in designated parking spots. There will be shuttles going to the start location.
・The race is not responsible for any delays in public transportation and road conditions.
・ Drones are prohibited.
・ On top of the rules mentioned above, you must follow directions from the race organizers.
・ Please ensure you have lodging and transportation plans figured out BEFORE registering for this event.

General
・ No refunds, deferrals, or credits will be issued. This applies to incidents in which the event is cancelled for any reason including personal participant circumstances of the participant (including illness and injury) and incidents in which the event is cancelled due to unforeseen weather conditions or natural disasters.
・Depending on the event, transfers and certain modifications to your entry may be permitted. Generally, entries may be transferable and/or permit modifications until 3-5 days before the last day of registration. After this period, all transfers are considered illegal and modifications will not be accommodated.
Participants determined to be violating the policies below may be disqualified without a refund:
・Any person found to be bib-swapping (illegal transfer of bib); the person will be held responsible in case of an accident arising from or provoked by the other person during the event.
・Any person found to be registering with inaccurate information, i.e. false declarations of the participants name, age, or gender.

・You will not sue the event organizers nor its affiliates (including Samurai Sports) for any injury or death caused during the event.
・ You consent to and will give all authorities and copyright to the event organizer and affiliates for the use of photography, motion pictures, articles, recordings or any other record of this event (including personal information such as name, age, gender, personal record, portrait, and etc.) for legitimate purposes and use in newspapers, TV, magazines, internet and any media publishing such as Facebook posts, Instagram posts, and pamphlets.

Insurance
・ Those participating and coming from abroad must be enrolled in medical and/or travel insurance in case of accident, injury, and medical emergencies.
・ Before signing up, please carefully read all rules and regulations of the event. If the rules and regulations cannot be followed, participation may be denied by the event organizers. If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to contact us – it is your responsibility to be prepared.

Privacy
・The organizer is aware of the importance of your personal information. The use of personal information conforms to the organizer’s privacy protection law.
・Your personal information is used to provide you valuable services, such as race information, results, service from race affiliates, result ranking, and etc.
・The organizer may release your personal information when your life or body is in a life-threatening situation.
・The race organizer and its affiliates may contact you regarding your registration information.

Athlete Guides
・In most cases, athlete guides in English will be sent via email approximately 7-21 days before the event. However, the delivery of athlete guides is entirely dependent on the timeliness of the event organizers. Samurai Sports takes approximately one to two days from receipt of the Japanese athlete guide to translate into English.

Additional Surcharges
・If total cost is ¥10,000 or less, you will incur a flat fee service charge of ¥1,000.
・If total cost is more than ¥10,001, you will incur a service charge amounting to 10% of total cost.
Why the additional charges? They help us cover the cost of operating the registration platform, translation of athlete guides/event information, labor hours required to answer your event inquiries, etc. Depending on the event, the surcharges help to cover the cost of our physical presence at the event.

Gassan Ryujin Marathon Executive  Committee

English​
info@samuraisports.co.jp

Japanese
03-6432-0151
info@e-marathon.jp

Official Website (Japanese)
https://gassan-m.com/