11th Nikko National Park Mountain Running 2026

The 11th Nikko National Park Mountain Running Race takes place on 14-15 November 2026 in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Organised by YAMA ASOBI, this established mountain-running weekend combines the shrines and temples of Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage area, with forest trails and the high country of Nikko National Park. Its signature Sunday starts use the Omotesando approach near Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, before the main courses head into mountainous terrain. The event is not a city road marathon: expect changes of elevation, stairs, uneven trails and variable November mountain conditions.

Courses and race weekend

The flagship Nantai course is approximately 45 km (700 places), with a 05:00 start on Sunday 15 November, an 11-hour limit and intermediate checkpoints at Kisuge-daira (10:30) and Kanman-ga-fuchi (13:00). The Nyoho course, approximately 30 km (700 places), starts at 07:00, and the Narumushi 10 km (400 places) at 07:30. The Suginamiki Kaido 12 km (300 places) departs from Smile Noguchi at 09:30, followed by the 12 km dog-pair course (100 places) at 10:30. Saturday's family programme at New Kirifuri Campground includes 1 km, 2 km and 3 km children's and parent-child races. All Sunday course finishes are consolidated at Smile Noguchi, the former Noguchi Elementary School.

The four principal competitive courses award the leading three overall men and women. The course director is Yukari Hoshino. The 45 km Nantai race is the headline category, but ARC's existing distance catalogue has no exact 45 km option, so it is described here rather than misleadingly tagged as another distance.

Preparation, registration and access

Entry opened via RUNNET in June and the organiser announced that general entries had closed by September 2026. The organiser's deadline for participants to request advance postage of bibs is 20 October 2026 at 17:00 Japan time; those who do not arrange advance delivery must use the pre-race collection arrangements. General advance check-in is at Smile Noguchi, 10:00-15:00 on Saturday 14 November, followed by an afternoon race briefing and evening event.

On the mountain courses, required equipment includes at least one litre of water, food, a reusable cup, full waterproof clothing, emergency equipment, a phone and power bank, and a bear bell; headlamps and insulating layers are mandatory on the 45 km, 30 km and 10 km routes. Trekking poles are prohibited. Course previews are not permitted through the protected heritage, national park and private land sections. Consult the official runner instructions for equipment checks, checkpoints, road access, transport and any late changes.