Kaga Spa Trail Endurance 100 by UTMB

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 🍡🏃‍♂️🌿