2020 course descriptions TBA

About the 45KM Course
Phase 1: Blanche Takayama Ski Resort (Start) – Omine Peak – Echo Valley Ski area
From the start, you will head to Omine Peak at an elevation of about 400m. Try not to over-exert your legs – even at a walking pace, it will take about 40 minutes to reach the peak. Once you get to the top, you’ll head down the “Villa Site Road” toward the Echo Valley Ski area. At around the 9KM mark there will be a water station.

Phase 2: Himeki-daira – Nagato Ranch (Aid Station 4)
From the water station in Himeki-daira, you’ll run along rural forest roads and a small water channel. At the 24KM mark, you’ll close in on Nagato Ranch. Aid Station 4 is located in front of the terrace house on the way to the ranch.

Phase 3: Nagato Ranch – Daimon Pass (Aid Station 5)
After Nagato Ranch, you’re ready for the second half of the course! On the way to Daimon Pass, enjoy a beautiful view of Mt. Asama and Mt. Tateshina. There will be a small gradual incline towards the 29KM mark, then a nice downhill ride to Daimon Pass (AS5) at the 32 KM mark.

Phase 4: Daimon Pass – Blanche Takayama Ski Resort (Finish)
From Daimon Pass (AS5), it’s a tough climb to the +1,800m ridge line at the 39KM mark. From the ridge, you might be lucky enough to see Mt. Fuji, the Northern Alps, Mt. Ontake, and the Yatsugatake Mountains. The best part of the course starts here at the peak (1,838m) and towards the tail-end of the course at the 40KM mark. After that, it’s a manageable descent back to the finish!

2020 Schedule TBA

Friday, May 22 
1400-1900…Check-in, race packet collection (100KM only)

*2019 schedule
June 28, 2019 
at Nagaremachi Esoyama gym (in front of Blanche Takayama Ski Resort)
1300-2000…90KM, 80KM check-in and race packet collection (mandatory; no exceptions)
1430-1500…Race Briefing 1 (in Japanese)
1600- 1630…Opening Ceremony
1630-1700…Race Briefing 2 (in Japanese)

June 29, 2019 
at Blanche Takayama Ski Resort
0300…90KM starts
0400…80KM starts
0600-0715…45KM check-in and race packet collection
0600-0815…15KM check-in and race packet collection
0730…Opening Ceremony
0800…45KM starts
0900…15KM starts
1300…15KM Cut Off Time
1400…Awards
1800…45KM Cut Off Time
2000…90KM & 80KM Cut Off Time

100KM
¥26,400

50KM
¥14,300 

15KM
Adult: ¥8,500 
11 to 17 years old: ¥5,000

Why are there two prices? 
・All prices include Samurai Sports service charge
・Races organized by Fields include the following charges in this order: (a) entry/registration fee + (b) a flat rate ¥1,000 English support fee (by request from Fields) + (c) Samurai Sports’ service charge (¥1,000 up to ¥10,000; 10% of entry/registration fee above ¥10,001). 
・The amounts reflected above and in Samurai Sports’ information are inclusive of all three parts, namely (a), (b), and (c). This is the final sum you should expect your credit card to be charged for one (1) entry/registration without additional add-ons.
・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
・100KM…18 years or older
・50KM…18 years or older (high school students not permitted)
・15KM…11-17 (youth), 18+ (adult)

Cut Off Times
・100KM…29 hours
27KM…8 hours (by 1300)
41.5KM…12 hours (by 1700)
62KM…18 hours(by 2300)
71.5KM…18 hours (by 2400)
81.5KM…22 hours (by 0300)
87KM…24 hours (by 0500)
93.5KM…26 hours (by 0700) 

・50KM…12 hours
27KM…6 hours (by 1400)

・15KM…4 hours

Important
・Demonstrate good manners. All participants must be respectful of the natural course environment and do his/her best to preserve it. Be mindful of other climbers and hikers on the trail.
・Be a responsible athlete. Please make sure you have the physical ability to complete the course.

Mandatory Gear
100KM & 50KM
・at least 1L of water
・personal cup
・food/nutrition
・gloves
・bear bell
・lights
・mobile phone/smartphone with service in Japan
・proof of health insurance (copy is permitted)

15KM
・500mL of water
・nutrition
・rain gear
・gloves 

・Rain Gear – Must be made of Gore‐Tex or of similar waterproof material and moisture permeable function (preferably, water pressure resistance 20,000mm, moisture permeability 10,000g／㎡24hrs). Windbreaker jackets, plastic covers, trashbags, and etc. are not allowed. Even if it does not rain, you will need it to keep warm because you will be passing altitudes of over 2,000m. You will also need to keep warm and prevent hypothermia when tired or wet. Only rain gear for the top half is required; rain gear for the bottom half is highly recommended.
・Lights – Runners must have a headlight or handlight for climbing hills and running (with new batteries). Conventional or emergency lights (such as cell phones) are unacceptable. Runners must show the race organizer or volunteer his/her light when passing checkpoints, particularly in the latter half of the course. You will be disqualified if you do not have the proper lights.

Safety Check
There may be random item checks by the race organizer and volunteers at each checkpoint to ensure the safety of all participants.

・For updates, view the race Facebook page (Japanese only)

Course Map (All Distances)…refer to this PDF

Aid Stations
100KM…8 total
AS 1 Wada Pass (21KM) | AS 2Tobira Pass (27KM) | AS 3 Yamamoto Hut (41.5KM) | AS 4 Nagata Town Office (62KM) | AS 5 Wada-shuku (71.5KM) | AS 6 Yamamoto Hut (81.5KM) | AS 7 Tobira Pass (87KM) | AS 8 Wada Pass (93.5KM) 
50KM…3 total
AS 1 Wada Pass (21KM) | AS 2 Tobira Pass (27KM) | AS 3 Yamamoto Hut (32.5KM)
15KM…1 water station (6KM)

Elevation Profiles (COMING SOON)
100KM…about 5,770m of total elevation gain
50KM…about 2,660m of total elevation gain
15KM…TBA

Blanche Takayama Ski Resort (start/finish)
3652 Takayama, Nagawa, Nagano 386-0601
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, about 3 hours (about 215KM/ 134 miles)
From Nagoya, about 3 hours (about 215 KM / 134 miles)
From Yokota AB, about 2.5 hours (about 180KM / 112 miles)
From Yokosuka, about 3.5 hours (about 240KM / 149 miles)

By Train
From Tokyo, about 45 minutes
From Nagoya, about 3 hours
From Yokota AB, about 2 hours 45 minutes
From Yokosuka, about 4 hours

Parking
Free; up to 500 vehicles
The parking lot has no specific address; please refer to “Start and Finish Line” for map guidance. 

100KM
Top 1-6 overall men/women
Top 3 age group men/women

50KM
Top 1-6 overall men/women
Top 3 age group men/women

15KM
Top 3 overall
Top 3 age group men/women

Age Groups
18-39, 40-49, 50+

2019 Finishers
90KM: 49 (54% completion rate)
80KM: 395 (57% completion rate)
45KM: 402 (98% completion rate)
15KM: 226 (99% completion rate)
Total: 1,417 participants (1,605 registrants)

2019 Results
90KM
80KM
45KM
15KM

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.
・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.

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.

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.
・The race organizers have purchased accident insurance to cover participants’ accidents and injuries. The compensation is as follows: in case of death or lasting disability: ¥3,000,000. Hospitalization (per day): ¥3,000. Outpatient treatment (per day): ¥2,000

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.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
Course Preservation
・Do not leave the course or enter any off-course areas. When you pass another participant, hiker or local resident, be sure to stay on the course as a means of preserving the natural habitat and also preventing unfortunate incidents. 
・No littering. Keep an eye out for your personal belongings! Please pick up any trash that you find on the site.
・Collecting or damaging plants or wildlife on the course and in the surrounding areas is strictly prohibited.
・Poles are permitted, but please attach rubber caps to the points. If we determine that the course is in poor condition, we may prohibit use of poles and similar equipment to prevent further deterioration. Be aware of those around you when using poles.
・You must walk sections marked as “Walking only” – this may be only 
・Please use the toilets at each aid station, or use a portable toilet.

Consideration for Hikers, Local Residents, and Other Race Participants 
・You are likely to encounter hikers and local residents on the course. When passing them in either direction, be sure to call out in advance and to exchange greetings to maintain good relations with the local community.
・Remember that the race is made possible thanks to the support of local residents and volunteers. Please show appropriate gratitude to them.

Safety Management
・If you decide that you are unable to continue due to injury or illness, please contact the nearest race staff member or race headquarters. The emergency telephone numbers are printed on your bib. In case the race officials find the race too difficult to continue, the race may be suspended or called off. 
・The entire course is in a natural environment and the conditions are constantly changing. Pay attention to the circumstances around you as you run and do not force yourself into any difficult situations. 
・Weather conditions on the course are likely to change suddenly, and participants can expect to face rain, strong winds or similar conditions that can cause hypothermia. Please make adequate preparations for such conditions in advance.
・Medical staff will be on-hand at race headquarters to deal with first aid for injuries and illness. Rescue vehicles are also on standby at each aid station to transport injured participants and those who drop out. 

Dropping Out / DNF
・If you drop out during the race for any reason, be sure to tell course marshals or aid station staff member your name and bib number. 
・If you are unable to do so at the time, please inform race headquarters as soon as possible and return your timing chip.
・If you arrive at a checkpoint past the cut off time, your race ends at this point. You MUST follow the instructions of the race staff and/or volunteers.

Course Markings 
・Guide signs every 250 to 350 meters and guide tape (10cm-wide vinyl tape with a yellow “Fields” logo) are installed all along the course. Tape is attached to tree branches and in other visible locations at intersections and hazardous points on the course. 
・If you lose sight of the guide tapes, return to the spot where you last saw it and follow the correct course. Course marshals will be at key locations such as intersections and road crossings, but following course markings is the responsibility of each participant.

Returning Your Timing Chip
・Your timing chip is attached to the rear side of your bib number. Please make sure to detach it and give it to race staff or put it in the chip return box after you finish the race. 
・If you drop out during the race or decide not to start the race, please make sure to return your timing chip to race headquarters. 
・There will be a ¥10,000 charge for lost or unreturned timing chips. 

Check-In
・Participants who fail to check in before the check-in time will not be allowed to join the race.

GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION
・Participants who show inadequate respect for the environment and area by dumping garbage, entering areas off the course or other actions.
・Participants who fail to comply with instructions from race officials or course marshals.
・Participants who falsely declare their age, gender, and identification on their applications.
・Participants who commit wrongdoing.
・Participants who miss the starting time.
・Participants who fail to clear checkpoint cutoff times or those who do not reach the finish line by the final time limit. (Cutoff times are the times when you leave each checkpoint)
・Participants who fail to bring mandatory equipment.
・Participants who do not wear their bib appropriately. Attach your bib to your front without bending or otherwise manipulating it.
・Participants who run with headphones or similar items that block external sound, excluding hearing aids. 

GROUNDS FOR CANCELLATION OF EVENT
・The race may be canceled for various reasons, including when a weather warning is issued, the course is in poor condition due to extreme weather, or participants’ safety cannot be guaranteed.
・Depending upon weather conditions, the race may also be delayed, rescheduled or the course may be changed to assure participants’ safety. 
・No refunds, deferrals, transfers, or credits will be issued. This applies to incidents in which the event is cancelled for any reason including personal participant circumstances (such as illness) and incidents in which the event is cancelled due to unforeseen weather conditions or natural disasters.

Fields Sports Desk

English​
info@samuraisports.co.jp

Japanese
0475-47-3017
info@fields-co.jp

Official Website (Japanese)
https://utsukushigahara-trail.jp/