Race Categories
Event Detail
The 12th Kumano Kodo Trail Running Race, also called Kumano Old Trails, takes place around Kiwa in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture, on Sunday 6 December 2026. Runners encounter steep forest trails and historic landscapes associated with the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network, including the Maruyama Senmaida terraced rice fields and Akagi Castle Ruins. This is a demanding off-road event rather than a standard road marathon.
Courses and cutoffs
There are three advertised 2026 routes. The 49.7 km long course climbs approximately 2,850 metres and has a 10-hour cutoff. The 25.2 km middle course climbs around 1,350 metres, with a 7-hour 30-minute cutoff. The 10.5 km short course gains about 550 metres, with a 2-hour 30-minute cutoff. The site's available 50K and 25K filters represent rounded lengths; actual official distances are stated here. The short route does not have a matching distance filter in ARC.
Race venue and course experience
The main gathering point is the Kiwa B&G Marine Centre, 82 Kiwacho Itaya, Kumano City, a mountain-area sports facility near local heritage attractions. Long and middle runners use the main venue for their finish; the short route's finish is listed at Akagi Castle Ruins. Some sections are point-to-point, so participants should confirm their specific start, finish, transport and kit arrangements. Historic trails, substantial climbing and potentially variable mountain conditions make appropriate trail-racing preparation important.
Capacity and entry arrangements
Organiser information lists field limits of 330 long-course runners, 350 middle-course runners and 120 short-course runners, or 800 across the programme. Standard published fees are JPY 14,000, JPY 11,000 and JPY 6,500 respectively, with reduced prices advertised for participants aged 22 or younger. The main registration window was 1 July to 30 September 2026 and has closed.
Race pack collection is advertised for the preceding day and race morning. Long-course entrants must collect their materials the day before, rather than relying on race-day pickup. Check the event's final organiser notices for bib times, safety requirements, parking or shuttle instructions and any route changes.
A precise 2026 race start time could not be verified from the accessible current-edition information. The midnight-local date used in the calendar is a date-only placeholder, not an announced flag-off time.