DEEP JAPAN ULTRA 100 Niigata 2027

DEEP JAPAN ULTRA 100 Niigata 2027 is a three-day mountain-ultra event based at Irihirose Sports Center in Uonuma, Niigata. The race is part of the Asia Trail Master calendar, with the 160K and 80K recognised as Championship Qualifier and Grandmaster Quest races. The event also carries ITRA points and UTMB Index classifications across its three distances.

All races start on Friday 25 June. The SUMON 30K starts at 10:00 and follows an approximately 28.2 km route with about 1,541 metres of climbing and a 10-hour limit. The DEEP JAPAN 160K starts at 11:00, covers roughly 160 km with about 8,342 metres of published elevation gain and has a 46-hour limit to 09:00 Sunday. The UONUMA 80K starts at 12:00, covers about 80 km with around 3,874 metres of climbing and has a 24-hour limit.

The terrain is serious mountain country rather than a conventional runnable trail race. The organiser warns that higher sections can still hold snow, mobile coverage is limited in some areas, and the 160K route has changed for 2027. Course adjustments can also be made for wildlife protection, landslides or dangerous weather, with a two-loop 80K contingency available for the 160K if necessary. Mandatory GPS and safety equipment, including Cocoheli and IBUKI tracking requirements, form part of the event's risk-management plan.

Qualification standards apply to the longer races. The 160K requires sufficient recent ITRA points or completion of an approved official test-run camp, while the 80K requires completion of a trail race of at least 30 km or an approved camp route. Pacers are permitted only on defined later sections of the 160K and 80K.

Runner check-in is on Thursday 24 June at the former Yuzawa Elementary School Gymnasium in Mondo Park, Yuzawa, not at the race venue. There is no participant parking at Irihirose Sports Center, so runners can use pre-booked paid parking at Suhara Ski Resort or organiser shuttle services from Echigo-Yuzawa. Aid stations supply drinks and food, but the race is cup-free and runners must carry their own vessel.