Minonokuni Yamajiro Trail 100 FIRST HELD Gifu 2027

Minonokuni Yamajiro Trail 100 FIRST HELD 2027 is the inaugural formal race weekend for a long-distance mountain-trail project developed in Japan's Gifu Prefecture since 2021. After four pre-event editions and volunteer trail-building activities, the organisers are bringing runners across the old mountain paths, castle sites and rural communities of the historic Mino region. The event is supported by ten local municipalities and has ITRA-recognised courses. It is designed for experienced trail runners, especially those tackling steep climbs, prolonged time on their feet and substantial elevation gain.

Courses and race weekend

The headline 160K (100-mile) Yamajiro Hyakumairi starts at Nangu Taisha shrine in Tarui at 5:30 pm on Friday 5 March. Its route crosses ten municipalities towards Miyuki Park in Sakahogi, with approximately 12,000 m of ascent, a 48.5-hour limit, and 160 advertised places. The 160K is an individual race.

On Saturday 6 March, the 100K solo and 100K GT Hyaku team challenge start from Kojima Community Centre, Ibigawa, at 8:00 am, finishing at Miyuki Park by 6:00 pm on Sunday. Both use the mountain route of approximately 7,500 m ascent and have a 34-hour limit. The solo field is capped at 200 runners; the team format has 20 team places, with two-, three-, four- or five-person options.

The 42K TAKEBI follows a western section of the 160K course, starting from Nangu Taisha at 8:30 am on Saturday, with roughly 2,500 m ascent and a 9.5-hour limit. The 22K OJIMA is a challenging circular trail from Kojima Community Centre, starting at 9:00 am Saturday, with approximately 1,100 m ascent and a nine-hour limit. Both shorter races have their own entry limits. Organisers have published GPX files, so participants should examine their chosen course carefully.

Entry, recognition and practical information

The organiser lists ITRA Endurance Points of 6 for 160K, 5 for 100K, 2 for TAKEBI and 1 for OJIMA. Early allocations for the two longest solo categories filled on their opening day. Regular entry runs from 8 October to 22 November 2026, with a planned late-entry period from 8 December to 13 January 2027, subject to places remaining. Entry prices vary by period and category; check the linked official registration pages rather than relying on the expired early-bird rates.

Check-in locations vary by course: the organisers identify Nangu Taisha and Kojima Community Centre for relevant categories, but collection hours and participant entitlements need confirmation. The organisers say official aid will operate within designated time windows and some road sections will be marshalled. Allow for the logistics of different start and finish towns, check the mandatory equipment rules, and plan transport and accommodation accordingly.

Note: The separately advertised KINKA 22K on 27 March 2027 is a different event date and is not part of this 5–7 March race weekend.