TBA

September 2020

Matsumoto, Nagano

Athlete Entitlements

Samurai Sports Advantage

  • Easy registration

    Register in English without creating an account

  • Translated English athlete guide

    The information you need to prepare for and complete your race safely

  • English email support

    Ask questions - and get answers!

  • Post race follow-up

    Receive links to results, photos

Race Standard

  • Event insurance

  • Race T-shirt

  • Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour ticket

  • Race souvenirs (TBA)

  • Finisher certificate

  • On-course aid stations

  • Timed race results

    View official results online

about the race

The Norikura Yama Run Team & Solo Race is a mountain endurance race that sees how many laps around a 4 KM course each team of 2 to 6 people or brave individuals running solo can complete within 4 or 8 hours.

Held during the Norikura Outdoor Festival at the base of Mount Norikura, it’s a cant-miss opportunity to get a solid day of training and racing before kicking back to enjoy the Banff Mountain Film Festival, under the stars! Everyone who runs receives one ticket to the film festival, plus one drink as an extra reward.

Highlights
・Choose between a 4-hour relay or 8-hour relay for one solo runner and up to six people on a team! 4KM course makes it easy for everyone to knock out laps quickly (one runner on the course at a time).
・Road and track relays are here, there, and everywhere but the Yama Run’s 4KM course takes place on trails in the heart of Nagano!
・1300 start on Saturday for the 4-hour race gives folks enough time to reach Norikura on Saturday morning.
・Saturday race means you have all of Sunday to enjoy the abundance of Norikura’s outdoor activities without rushing to go home.
・The BANFF Mountain Film Festival World Tour! It’s a unique experience to kick-back and watch awe-inspiring documentaries about real people doing amazing things. Learn more about the BANFF Mountain Film Festival World Tour here.

Team registration requires the following information for all team members: full name, gender, DOB, emergency contact name, phone number, and t-shirt size.

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

Registration Period

TBA

(July 8, 2019 - August 16, 2019)

2019 Race Details

2020 schedule TBA

September 7, 2019 (Sat)
at Norikura Base
0700-0830…Reception
0830-0850…Opening ceremony, race briefing
0900…8-hour race starts
1300…4-hour race starts
1700…All races finish
1900…Awards ceremony
9 x 4 minutes very easy/3 minutes half marathon pace​BANFF Mountain Film Festival World Tour starts

After the Yama Run, stick around on Sunday for a day of outdoor and indoor activities at the Norikura Outdoor Festival, including:

・Norikura Base – an adventure park featuring high ropes courses and ziplines
・SUP (Stand Up Paddling)
・Norikura sunrise bus tour
・Mountain biking
・”Shower climbing” (climbing waterfalls)
・Foodie tours
・Area tours, including the summit of Norikura and visits to neighboring Kami-Kochi and Hida Takayama
・Onsen-hopping

For more information, visit the Japan Alps Tourism Federation (click here) and the Norikura Kogen Tourism Board (click here). For inquiries on reservations, email Samurai Sports (info@samuraisports.co.jp).

4-Hours
Solo…¥9,000 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Team of 2…¥13,200 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge))
Team of 3…¥18,150 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Team of 4…¥19,800 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge))
Team of 5…¥22,000 ( (incl. Samurai Sports service charge))
Team of 6…¥23,100 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

8-Hours
Solo…¥13,200 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Team of 2…¥17,600 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Team of 3…¥23,100 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Team of 4…¥26,400 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Team of 5…¥29,700 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)
Team of 6…¥33,000 (incl. Samurai Sports service charge)

Why are there two prices? 
・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
Solo: Must be 18 years old and older
Team: Must be 16 or older
・Under 18 requires parental consent
・One or more team members must be 18 or older, if at least one team member is 16 or younger

Cut Off Times
N/A

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
・proof of health insurance
・mobile phone/smartphone with service in Japan

Recommended
・rain gear
・nutrition/hydration
・trail running shoes

・View course map

・Elevation profile not provided by race organizer

Norikura Base (start/finish)
3994-21 Azumi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1520
Google Maps

Please ensure you have lodging and transportation plans figured out BEFORE registering for this event.

By Car
From Tokyo, about 4 hours (262 KM/163 miles)
・From Nagoya, about 3 hours 30 minutes (217 KM/135 miles)
・From Yokota AB, about 3 hours 30 minutes (228 KM/142 miles)
・From Yokosuka, about 4 hours 20 minutes (290 KM/180 miles)

By Train to Matsumoto
From Tokyo Station, the fastest and easiest way is to take the Hokuriko Shinkansen to Nagano Station (about 1 hour 30 minutes), then take the JR Shinano Line to Matsumoto Station (about 50 min).
From Nagoya Station, the fastest and easiest way is to take the JR Shinano Line to Matsumoto Station (about 2 hours).
From Fussa Station (Yokota AB), go to Hachioji Station (about 20 minutes). From Hachioji Station, take Chuo Line-Limited Express to Matsumoto Station (about 2 hours).
From Yokosuka Chuo Station, go to to Yokohama Station (about 30 minutes).  From Yokohama Station, take the Yokohama line to Hachioji Station (about 1 hour).  From Hachioji Station, take the Chuo Line-Limited Express to Matsumoto Station (about 2 hours). 

By Bus
From Shinjuku Bus Terminal, take the bus to Matsumoto Bus Terminal (about 3.5 hours – across the road from Matsumoto station)

From Matsumoto Station or Bus Terminal to Norikura Base
Take the Alpico bus to Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center (about 90 min – ¥1,750 one-way / ¥3,300 round trip). Then, walk about 30 minutes (2.4KM) to Norikura Base; alternatively, take a taxi.
・Timetable between Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center and Matsumoto station is available here (English).
To Norikura Kogen Tourist Information Center: 0715 / 1010 / 1209 / 1328 / 1446 / 1645
To Matsumoto Bus Terminal: 0725 / 1041 / 1216 / 1416 / 1621 / 1823

Parking
Free; up to 300 vehicles
The parking lot has no specific address; please refer to “Start and Finish Line” for map guidance. 

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.

Norikura Tourism Board
Norikura Outdoor Festival Organizing Committee
Fields Sports Desk

English​
info@samuraisports.co.jp

Japanese
070-4003-5760
info-norikura@fields-co.jp

Official Website (Japanese)
https://yama-run.com/norikura/