WAKE ALPS TRAIL Okayama 2027

WAKE ALPS TRAIL returns to Wake, Okayama Prefecture, for its second edition on Monday 22 March 2027. The inaugural April 2026 event drew 900 runners across three courses. The organising committee, advised by Japanese trail-running figure Tsuyoshi Kaburaki, uses the race to introduce visitors to the town's rugged low mountains and support maintenance of locally cared-for paths.

Course and terrain

The 50K long course is advertised with approximately 3,000 metres of ascent and a 12-hour limit. Although the mountains are relatively low, exposed rocky ridges, repeated steep climbs and descents make this a serious trail challenge. The organiser estimates that about 60% of the long route is on trails, with quieter paved descents through terraced-rice-field country. Runners encounter views towards the Yoshii River, the Wake Alps, Tenjinyama and the Katatetsu Roman Kaido former railway corridor. The long course is listed for three ITRA points.

The 21K middle course climbs about 1,300 metres and allows seven hours. The 14K short course has roughly 800 metres of climbing and a five-hour limit; general entry is JPY 6,000 or JPY 5,000 for runners aged 22 or under. A new 4K beginner course gains about 180 metres, allows four hours and welcomes primary-school children from Year 3 when accompanied by a parent. General beginner entry costs JPY 3,000; primary-school entry costs JPY 2,000 with the accompanying parent free. These two distances are described here because ARC does not currently offer exact 14K and 4K distance IDs.

Race-day programme and rules

All routes start and finish at Wake Dome. The 50K begins at 06:00 JST, the 21K at 09:30, the beginner race at 09:40 for adults and 09:45 for children, and the 14K at 10:00. The long-course map specifies intermediate aid-station cut-offs; runners must also leave a checkpoint within 15 minutes of its closing time. A rain jacket is compulsory for long- and middle-course entrants, with equipment checked at registration. Bring the required kit: runners missing mandatory equipment cannot start. No race entry materials are posted beforehand; the organiser plans to email final instructions around two weeks before the event.

Arrival and practicalities

Advance check-in operates on Sunday 21 March from 15:00 to 17:00. Race-day check-in is 04:30–05:30 for the long course and 07:30–09:00 for the other courses. Race-day parking at Wake Dome is prohibited; drivers use the designated Yoshii River riverside ground and its shuttle. A station shuttle from JR Wake Station begins at 06:50, too late for the 06:00 long-course start. Long-course runners should arrange an early car journey or suitable overnight stay. Accommodation near Wake is limited. Entries close on 31 January 2027 unless capacity is reached earlier, and accepted entry fees are non-refundable.