Trail Runners Cup Echigo Hillside Park 2027 - Nagaoka

The Trail Runners Cup Echigo Hillside Park 2027 brings families, first-time trail runners and experienced hill runners together at the beautiful national park outside Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The event takes place on Sunday 18 April 2027 alongside the park's OUTDOOR PARK activities and workshops. A permanent trail route designed by professional mountain runner Hiroaki Matsunaga features woodland paths, rolling climbs and spring scenery.

Two trail challenges

• Long 12K: approximately 600 metres of climbing on a hilly loop through Ogura Pass, the trail-running paths and lookout points. The under-50 wave starts at 10:00 JST and the 50-plus wave at 10:05. Open to junior-high-school students and older. Time limit three hours, including an intermediate checkpoint.
• Short 5K: approximately 250 metres of climbing. The short course includes a climb towards the park's hilltop and a return through natural exploration paths. Entrants aged three and older may participate, with waves at 13:30 JST (junior high and older) and 13:35 JST (primary school and younger). Time limit two hours.

Preschool participants must be accompanied by an adult aged at least 18, while children in the first two years of primary school may have an accompanying adult for an extra JPY 1,500. Parent accompaniment for older children requires an appropriate registered entry. The organiser also offers discounted dual-distance entry for eligible runners.

Entry, collection and course rules

Entry opens on 13 November 2026 at 12:00 JST, with the advertised deadline 2 April 2027 at 23:59 JST (UTC+9) or earlier if full. There is no race-day registration. For the 12K, on-site check-in is 08:45–09:30; for the 5K, it is 12:15–13:00. A short introductory trail clinic is scheduled at 13:00 for young runners and newcomers. The organiser plans to email participant instructions shortly before race day; no documents are mailed to participants.

Use Echigo Hillside Park's Welcome Gate for entry and check-in, not the Satoyama Gate. Participants should carry drinks, follow marked routes and yield to other park users. Trekking poles are not permitted. Changing rooms, lockers and showers are advertised, and the event fee includes park admission, sports injury insurance, a participation gift and a downloadable finisher certificate. Be prepared for course changes in poor weather.