One of the World's Largest Trail Running Festivals UTMB(R) World Series" to be held for the first time in Japan from June 19 (Thu) to 22 (Sat)

The KAGA SPA TRAIL ENDURANCE100 by UTMB(R) Executive Committee will hold the KAGA SPA TRAIL ENDURANCE100 by UTMB(R) from June 19 (Thursday) to 22 (Saturday), 2025, in Yamanaka Onsen, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. As Japan's first official UTMB(R) World Series event, a total of 2,848 runners from 43 countries are expected to participate in the 100K, 50K, and 20K categories.

Official website: https://kagaspa.utmb.world/ja

UTMB(R) World Series

International and diverse athlete lineup

The inaugural UTMB World Series in Japan, a world-renowned trail running series, will be an international and diverse race, with 928 runners, or 33% of the 2,848 participants, coming from overseas, especially in the 50K and 20K categories, which are highly favored by many, with 45% of the 50K runners and 49% are international athletes. The youngest athlete is 13 years old (20K), the oldest is 74 years old (100K), and there are 721 female runners participating in a wide range of age groups. Participants will challenge themselves in a mountain race that will allow them to experience the history and nature of Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture, which is both beautiful and rugged.

Many of the world's top elite runners will also participate.

Many elite runners with high UTMB Index rankings from around the world will also participate in the 100K, led by China's TAO LUO (UTMB Index: 886), who has recently won Mount Yun by UTMB 2025 and Wenling Goden Coast Run 2025 in two consecutive races. The top women's group is led by MENGKAI BATE (China/UTMB Index: 857), Gediminas Grinius (Lithuania/UTMB Index: 847), and Veronika Leng (Slovakia/UTMB Index: 750). They will be joined by many top Japanese athletes such as Yuya Kawasaki (UTMB Index: 840), Mitsuken Ogasawara (UTMB Index: 840), Yuri Yoshizumi (UTMB Index: 743) and Honoka Akiyama (UTMB Index: 725), who will be racing at the world top level. The race is expected to be a world-class race.

Challenge Right to the UTMB Finals

The UTMB World Series is an official world series culminating in the UTMB Finals, the world's largest annual trail running race held in Chamonix, France. Selected events are held around the world as the "World Series," and finishers of these events are eligible for the lottery to participate in the main UTMB race. The World Series is positioned as a qualifying event for the big stage in Chamonix, France, which all trail runners dream of at least once. The OSJ Yamanaka Onsen Trail Race, which has been held since 2015, has been renewed as the UTMB World Series, and the KAGA SPA TRAIL ENDURANCE100 BY UTMB(R) was born while maintaining strong ties with the local community. Athletes will be able to enjoy the excitement of an international event that attracts the best runners from around the world, as well as the hot spring resort area in a valley full of Japan's ancient historical atmosphere.

Hoping for recovery from natural disasters and further regional revitalization

The holding of the Games is expected to promote regional development, tourism, and international exchange, and Ishikawa Prefecture, the local tourism industry, outdoor brands, and trail runners from all over Japan will work together to make this historic event a great success. This event will be held in collaboration with the local community, government, and private sector, with the aim of utilizing local resources, promoting international exchange, and promoting sustainable tourism. We aim to provide trail runners from around the world with the opportunity to fully experience the charms of Kaga and Yamanaka Onsen. The mountain race, which offers a taste of Yamanaka Onsen's history and nature, will be held in full cooperation with local residents, who will volunteer and support the race. In addition, the race main venue features a well-stocked expo and food corner that gathers not only domestic and international outdoor brands, but also local specialties, for the enjoyment of not only the racers but also the general public.

Main Venue Yamanakaza

A difficult course with a series of low mountains ranging in elevation from approximately 500m to 1,400m.

The course is not high, but the elevation gain (in the 100km event) is over 7,000m, creating a challenging course similar to the CCC of the UTMB main event. Runners from all over the world will be impressed by the unique Japanese trail courses, including singletrack, technical descents along tree roots and gullies, long forest roads to overcome mental challenges, and solemn walking trails with a sense of history. The 100km course features steep trails, relaxing singletrack along mountain streams, and scenic ridge paths, making it a perfect course location. 50km course begins with a single mountain crossing on the trail, followed by a short stretch on the road. The 20km course is mainly on low-sloped mountains and forest roads, making it easy for beginners to participate and perfect for those aiming to finish their first trail race. At the end of all three races, participants will pass through Tsurusenkei, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in the area, and then head down Yuge Kaido, the main street of the hot spring resort area, to Kikunoyu, the general bathhouse of Yamanaka Onsen (hot springs). Immediately after the race, you can refresh your tired body as much as you like in Yamanaka Onsen, a hot spring that has been in operation for 1,300 years and whose smooth water was loved by Matsuo Basho.

Dainichiyama

Tsurusenkei

-Outline of the Games

Dates: Saturday, June 21, 2025 - Sunday, June 22, 2025

Competition expo and athlete pre-registration: June 19 (Thu.) - 20 (Fri.), 2025

Events: (1) 100K, (2) 50K, (3) 20K

Total entries: 2,848

(1) 100K category

Distance 100km

Accumulated elevation: +6,144mD

Start venue Yamanaka-onsen Yamanaka-za (Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Yamanakaonsen Yamanaka-za (Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Start time Saturday, June 21

　　　　　　　　　　Wave 1: 7:00am, Wave 2: 7:10am, Wave 3: 7:20am

Time Limit: June 22 (Sunday) 9:00 - 9:20 a.m.

Time limit 26 hours *Each measured from the start of each Wave

Entries: 1,293 (including general entries and elites)

(2) 50K Division

Distance 56km

Accumulated elevation +2,717mD

Start venue Yamanaka-onsen Yamanaka-za (Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Yamanaka Onsen Yamanaka-za (Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Wave 1: 8:30 a.m., Wave 2: 8:40 a.m., Saturday, June 21

Time Limit: Saturday, June 21, 21:30 - 21:40

Time limit: 13 hours *Measured from the start of each Wave

Entries: 1,015 (including general entries and elites)

(2) 20K Division

Distance 21km

Accumulated elevation +722mD

Start venue: Kenmin-no-mori (Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Finish place: Yamanaka-onsen Yamanaka-za (Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture)

Wave 1: 10:00am, Wave 2: 10:10am, Saturday, June 21

Time Limit: Saturday, June 21, 16:00-16:10

Time limit: 6 hours *Measured from the start of each Wave

Entry 540 runners (including general entry and elite runners)

Organizer: Kaga Onsen Trail Race Executive Committee

Supported by Ishikawa Prefecture, Kaga City, Kaga Board of Education, Hokkoku Shimbun,

　　　　　　　　　　　　Kaga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yamanaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yamanaka Lacquer Ware Cooperative Association

UTMB World Sponsors: HOKA, SUNNTO, VIBRAM

Convention sponsors: NIKKE, POWERSPORTS

Chairman: Jiro Takikawa

Convention Organizing Committee Chairman Akira Ishikawa

Jiro Takikawa, producer of the event

Convention secretariat: POWERSPORTS Inc.

　　　　　　　　　　　　( info@kagaspatrailendurance100.jp )