Event Detail
The 37th Challenge Fuji Five Lakes Ultramarathon is confirmed for Sunday 18 April 2027 in the Mount Fuji area of Yamanashi Prefecture. Organised by Runner’s Wellness, this established Japanese road ultramarathon began in 1991 and is known for long-distance routes around the Fuji Five Lakes. The 2027 organiser website calls the event “Five Lakes. One Journey”, fitting for a race where the surrounding mountains and lakes are as memorable as the distance.
Course and race options
In the 2026 edition, four routes were offered: a 120 km journey visiting all five lakes; a 100 km four-lake route excluding Lake Motosu; an 80 km four-lake route excluding Lake Yamanaka; and a 62 km three-lake course. These are useful examples of the race's format, not confirmed 2027 distances or route maps. Fuji Hokuroku Park in Fujiyoshida has been the event's base in past editions, near the southern foot of Mount Fuji. Participants should consult the forthcoming official 2027 course descriptions and start/finish arrangements before planning transport or accommodation.
The attraction here is the sustained challenge of an ultra on roads through the Fuji lakes district, with views of the mountain when visibility allows. Different routes have historically visited different combinations of lakes, rather than using one identical loop. The terrain, early starts, checkpoint rules and changing mountain-area weather make careful pacing and appropriate kit important. None of the 2026 cut-offs or flag-off times should be assumed to apply unchanged in 2027.
Entering and planning ahead
The organiser's current announcement schedules publication of detailed 2027 race information for 19 October 2026 and entry opening for Friday 30 October 2026 at 20:00 Japan Standard Time. On 18 October, entries had not opened and the final 2027 distances, individual fees, closing date, aid-station plan, race-pack collection and wave start times had not been released on the live edition site. Check the official 2027 event website for those details, current eligibility rules and any entry limits.
Travellers can use the Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko area as a base, but should verify the organiser's final assembly point and shuttle or parking instructions rather than relying on previous-year arrangements. The calendar date is confirmed; the exact 2027 flag-off time is still to be announced.