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UTMB Kaga Spa Trail Endurance 20K – Race Review

One of my favourite things about trail running in Japan is that it constantly takes me somewhere new. The UTMB Kaga Spa Trail Endurance Race did exactly that, bringing me to the beautiful town of Yamanaka Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture ♨️🏔️ Surrounded by lush forests, winding rivers and traditional Japanese streets, it’s the sort of place most international visitors never hear about, and that’s exactly what makes it so special.

The race is part of the UTMB World Series, as always attracting a strong field while still maintaining a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. From registration to the shuttle buses and race village, everything was incredibly well organised, exactly what you’d expect from a UTMB event 👏

The 20K course is short, sharp and honest. Three punchy climbs are linked together by fast runnable sections, flowing singletrack and technical descents through dense cedar forests🌲🍃 The trails weave through the mountains above Yamanaka, with amazingly tall pine treets, little creek crossings, moss-covered rocks and the occasional glimpse back down into the valley. It’s the sort of course that keeps you engaged from start to finish, rewarding smart pacing, and for me, all-out aggression haha!

I came in with a simple plan: run the flats hard, power hike the climbs and attack the descents. Thankfully, it all came together on race day. The highlight was battling alongside some incredibly strong Japanese trail runners over the closing kilometres before crossing the finish line in 1:47:12, good enough for 6th overall and 1st in my age group 🥇

What really sets this event apart, though, is everything that comes after the finish line. Recovering in a traditional onsen, wandering the riverside streets of Yamanaka, and enjoying fantastic local food made the entire weekend unforgettable 🍱♨️ For me, that’s what trail running in Japan is all about. The race is simply the excuse to discover another incredible corner of the country!

Overall, I’d highly recommend the UTMB Kaga Spa Trail Endurance to anyone looking for a scenic, well-organised UTMB event in Japan. Whether you’re chasing a podium or simply looking for an unforgettable race weekend, it’s hard to beat the combination of beautiful trails, outstanding organisation and one of Japan’s most charming onsen towns 🍡🏃‍♂️🌿

Deep Japan Ultra 80K – Race Review

Some trail races are about chasing a fast time. Others are about surviving the day.

The Deep Japan Ultra 80K definitely falls into the second category 🏔️🌧️🌙

Set amongst the rugged mountains of Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture, this race takes you through one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Japan. Towering beech forests, endless ridgelines, tiny mountain villages and panoramic views make it feel like you’re exploring a side of Japan that very few international visitors ever get to experience!🌲

The course covers roughly 80km with around 4,000m of elevation gain, and it is absolutely relentless. Long climbs are followed by steep technical descents before sending you straight back uphill again. As the sun disappears, the atmosphere changes completely. Running through the mountains in complete darkness with nothing but your headtorch quickly reminds you that this is far more than just another trail race🔦⛰️

Despite the challenging course, the organisation was outstanding. Aid stations were well stocked, volunteers were incredibly welcoming, and the local community really embraced the event. There’s something special about arriving at an aid station after hours alone in the mountains and the dark and being greeted by smiling locals cheering every runner on 👏🍙

Personally, this wasn’t one of those races where everything went according to plan… quite the opposite, in fact! 😅 But that’s exactly why I’ll remember it for a long time. Deep Japan Ultra has a way of stripping everything away until all that’s left is you, the trail and the decision to keep moving forward. That’s what makes it such a rewarding event.

Crossing the finish line after more than fourteen hours on my feet left me deeply satisfied, not because of my time or place, but because I’d experienced everything this race had to offer and came out alive 💪

What makes this event even more memorable is the location itself. Uonuma is famous for its incredible rice, traditional Japanese inns, natural onsens and warm hospitality. Like so many races in rural Japan, the adventure extends well beyond race day, making the entire weekend an experience rather than just a competition 🍚♨️

Overall, I’d highly recommend the Deep Japan Ultra to experienced trail runners looking for a true mountain adventure in Japan. It’s tough, remote, beautifully organised and mentally demanding, but if you’re looking for an ultra that’ll test you while introducing you to one of Japan’s most spectacular regions, this race absolutely deserves a place on your bucket list. 🏃‍♂️⛰️🌿

Very technical, wild, and muddy 63k course. It features a tough mix of swamps, sand, stones, overgrown nettles, and a massive amount of fallen trees (way more than last year). The single tracks are narrow, making overtaking difficult.
Probably I will be back. Again.