World's Toughest 400m Race 'Red Bull 400' Grand Finale: Record 1,848 Participants, Masato Tanaka Secures 6th Straight Title

Red Bull Japan Co., Ltd. hosted 'Red Bull 400' on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Sapporo Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium. This hill-climb sprint race involves running up a Large Hill ski jump with a maximum gradient of 37 degrees—steeper than the slopes near the summit of Mount Fuji—and a height equivalent to the Sapporo TV Tower (approx. 130m).

The competition featured six categories, including Men's and Women's Singles, three types of 4x100m relays (Men's, Open, and Student), and a Creator Race.

After 10 years and nine editions, 'Red Bull 400' has come to an end due to upcoming renovations at the Okurayama Stadium. Since its inception in 2017, the event has seen over 10,000 total participants. This final year drew a record 1,848 runners (989 individuals, 203 relay teams, and 47 creators). Many loyal fans expressed their sadness over the closure, noting the event's immense popularity and the speed at which registration typically filled up.

In the Men's Single category, Masato Tanaka delivered a stunning performance, finishing in 3:37.44 to secure his sixth consecutive title. In the Women's Single, first-time participant Ayaka Ueda clocked in at 4:50.64, significantly faster than last year's winning time, to take first place. The Student Relay was won by 'Tokai fenix' with a time of 2:27.57, marking their second straight win.

Red Bull athletes from the snowboarding world also took on the challenge. Snowboard halfpipe stars Hiroto Ogiwara, Mitsuki Ono, and Sara Shimizu teamed up with extreme runner Rui Ueda to compete in the Open Relay. Supported by local Sapporo native Ryusei Yamada, the team finished 5th overall. Mitsuki Ono commented on the overwhelming scale of the venue, while team captain Rui Ueda praised his teammates' unexpected speed.

Celebrity creator Kenji Darvish from Golden Bomber also participated. Despite his initial confidence, the 'toughest 400m race' proved grueling, leaving him exhausted at the finish line. He reflected on the intensity of the experience, stating it was far more challenging than he had imagined.