Supporting Runners from Harsh Heat! Lipovitan Sports Cheers on 1,100 Runners with Heatstroke Prevention at the "5th Funtrails Minano 50K/30K"

Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter, "the Company") is sponsoring the trail running event "5th Funtrails Minano 50K/30K," organized by Funtrails LLC, through its "Lipovitan Sports" brand. They will set up a booth the day before the event and conduct sampling for 1,100 competitors at the aid/water station "A2: Minoyama Park (20.9km point)" to support runners with heatstroke prevention. **Desire to support runners challenging harsh environments** In recent years, temperatures have been rising annually, and according to the Japan Meteorological Agency's warm season forecast, the average temperature from June to August 2026 is expected to be higher than usual (Source ①). In proportion to the temperature rise, the number of emergency transports due to heatstroke has also become a major issue, increasing nationwide. The cumulative number of people transported by ambulance due to heatstroke nationwide from May to September 2025 reached 100,510, the highest number since the survey began in 2008 (Source ②). While heatstroke prevention is already mandatory in industries with extensive outdoor work, such as construction, it is also a life-critical necessity for extreme sports like "trail running," which involves continuous running in mountainous areas for long periods. Driven by a strong desire to support runners in their challenging endeavors so they can enjoy the competition safely, we have decided to sponsor this event again this year. Source ①: Warm Season Forecast (announced February 24, 2024) Japan Meteorological Agency | Seasonal Forecast Commentary Materials (https://www.data.jma.go.jp/cpd/longfcst/kaisetsu/?term=P6M) Source ②: Fire and Disaster Management Agency (October 29, 2025) | Emergency Transport Status due to Heatstroke in 2025 (May-September) (https://www.fdma.go.jp/disaster/heatstroke/items/r7/heatstroke_nenpou_r7.pdf) **Benefits for Runners: "Two-pronged" Support Before and During the Race** At this event, we will provide "Lipovitan Sports" products at two timings to help runners perform their best until the end. 1. **[Day before reception] Charge energy with multi-carbohydrate jelly** At our booth set up at the reception venue the day before the event, we will conduct a special campaign to present Lipovitan Jelly Sports (refreshing beverage ). Lipovitan Jelly Sports features a "multi-carbohydrate composition" that combines two types of sugars with different digestion and absorption rates, allowing for easy and efficient energy intake (carbohydrate loading) before the race. 2. **[20km point, Minoyama Aid] Feel cool with Lipovitan Ice Slurry Sports** At the "Minoyama Aid" at the 20km point, we will conduct sampling of "Lipovitan Ice Slurry Sports (refreshing beverage)" for 1,100 competitors. By freezing and drinking it, you can feel a cooling sensation, and it is also recommended for heatstroke prevention by taking in salt. **Safety for all who love sports** We will continue to contribute to creating a society where everyone can safely challenge sports, even under the harsh environmental conditions caused by climate change. We will continue to call attention to the importance of heatstroke prevention in various sports scenes and support everyone's brave challenges. **● Introduction of sampling products** Honey Lemon flavor (no fruit juice) Apple flavor (no fruit juice) Salty Lychee flavor (no fruit juice) Product name: Lipovitan Ice Slurry Sports Selling price: 120g 216 yen (tax included) Product features: ● It is a refreshing beverage that allows you to drink fine ice dispersed in water after freezing. ● In addition to citric acid, a source of energy, and vitamins B₁・B₂・B₆, it allows for the intake of salt, which is easily lost through sweat during exercise, making it also recommended for heatstroke prevention. **● "5th FunTrails Round Minano 50K/30K" Event Outline** Date: May 10, 2026 (Sunday) 7:00 (50K start time) Venue: Minano Sports Park (Shimodano, Minano-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama) Participants: 1,100 people *Sampling of Lipovitan Ice Slurry Sports will be conducted at "A2: Minoyama Park (20.9km point)". **● Organizer Profile** Shunsuke Okunomiya (FunTrails LLC) Career: Became independent as a professional in March 2015 and established Fun Trails LLC. That year, he won Hasegawa Tsune for the first time on his 10th attempt. In November of the same year, he organized the first trail running race over 100km in Saitama Prefecture (50km held simultaneously), attracting over 1,000 athletes from all over the country, and the scale has been growing year by year.