Suo-Oshima Ultra Maranic 2027 - Yamaguchi, Japan

Suo-Oshima Ultra Maranic 2027 invites runners to explore Suo-Oshima island in Yamaguchi Prefecture on Sunday 18 April 2027, combining long-distance endurance with the sociable, food-focused spirit of a maranic (marathon plus picnic). This is deliberately not a conventional race for podium places: the organiser records completion times but does not award rankings or competitive prizes.

Three ways to discover the island

The 100 km Ultra starts at 5:00 am and aims to cover almost the whole island, with 12 aid stations, a drop-bag point around 52.4 km, and a 8:00 pm finish deadline. The 70 km Adventure starts at 7:00 am, uses nine aid stations, has a drop-bag point at 23.2 km, and must finish by 7:00 pm. The 35 km Challenge starts at 9:00 am, offers three aid stations, and has a 4:00 pm finish deadline. The organiser publishes intermediate cut-offs for the longer courses, so runners should study the official maps and checkpoint schedule, not just the overall time limits.

Routes blend coastal roads and beaches, small settlements, inland greenery and island viewpoints. Much of the appeal is at the locally hosted aid stops: the organiser's current menu includes island mandarin juice, rice-ball specialities, udon, sushi, desserts and other regional food. Items and checkpoint locations may change.

Entry, collection and race-day essentials

Places are limited to 400 runners for 100 km, 200 for 70 km and 400 for 35 km. Entrants must be 18 or older on race day. Early registration runs from 14 October to 31 December 2026, priced at JPY 19,000 / 16,000 / 9,000 respectively; the standard window is 1 January to 21 March 2027, priced at JPY 20,000 / 17,000 / 10,000. Availability is controlled by the official e-moshicom entry system.

The start and finish are beside Katazoegahama Seaside Park Auto Campground. Bib collection is scheduled at Fureai-kan on Saturday 17 April, 2:00–5:00 pm; separate race-morning windows apply to each distance. Parking is provided, and the organiser outlines public transport via JR Obatake Station and the Hirano bus stop. Because the 100 km starts before dawn, arrange transport and accommodation ahead of time.

Participants must follow traffic rules and share roads considerately with pedestrians and other users; this is not a fully closed-road event. The organiser lists an island speciality gift for participants, a finisher towel and a digital completion certificate. Check mandatory equipment, current GPX maps, aid-point changes and the official rules before travelling.