14th Hida Takayama Ultramarathon Held

On June 14, 2026 (Sunday), the 14th Hida Takayama Ultramarathon was held in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. The day was cloudy, providing ideal running conditions for the participants. In the early morning, fog enveloped the streets of Hida Takayama, creating a fantastical atmosphere as many runners set out towards their respective goals. The Hida Takayama Ultramarathon is beloved for allowing participants to run while experiencing the rich natural surroundings, historic streets, and warm local support of the region. This year's event saw 3,610 entries, with 3,375 participants starting the race. A total of 2,517 runners completed the course, resulting in a completion rate of 74.6%. Ultramarathons involve running distances exceeding the standard marathon length of 42.195 km. The Hida Takayama Ultramarathon is held in the grand natural setting of the Hida Mountains and the traditional culture of Hida Takayama, offering participants the opportunity to enjoy interaction with the local community while running. The event features two courses: 100 km and 71 km, catering to participants' goals and experiences, which is also a distinctive feature of this event. For more information, please visit the official event website.■ Local Hospitality Boosts RunnersOne of the major attractions of the Hida Takayama Ultramarathon is the warm support from the local community. Along the course, many residents cheered for the runners, and volunteer staff greeted them with smiles at each water station. Notably, at the 56.7 km point of the Tangawa Branch Office Aid Station, a local group performed wind instrument and drum music, welcoming the runners who had persevered to that point. The Hida Takayama Ultramarathon is an event where the entire region welcomes the runners. The cheers along the route, interactions at the aid stations, and encounters with the local community all contribute to the warm atmosphere that has made this event beloved for so long.■ Supporting Runners with Hida Takayama's Unique CuisineThe Hida Takayama Ultramarathon also offers unique local cuisine as one of its major attractions. Along the course, participants can enjoy regional specialties such as mugwort udon, firefield soba, Hida Takayama hot spring manju, and tomato somen. Notably, at the 56.7 km point of the Tangawa Branch Office Aid Station, freshly grilled Hida beef was served, with some runners stopping to savor its aroma. The flavors representing Hida Takayama, enjoyed amidst the challenging course, brought smiles to many participants. The local flavors encountered at each aid station not only provided energy for the long-distance challenge but also offered a unique experience of Hida Takayama's charm.■ Welcoming Ultramarathon Runner Miyako as a GuestRunner Miyako also participated as a guest at the event. This was her fifth time participating in the Hida Takayama Ultramarathon, and for the first time, she competed in the 71 km race. Starting from the back of the final wave, she ran powerfully, overtaking one runner after another, and had a great run. Along the course, she took photos and interacted with many participants, helping to create the warm atmosphere unique to the Hida Takayama Ultramarathon.■ Encouraging the Challenges of the Young Generation in the 'U25' CategoryMany young runners also participated in the 'U25' category, which is aimed at those under 25 years old. The number of U25 participants in this event was 68 (100 km: 45, 71 km: 23). In the men's 100 km U25 category, Daichi Ishii won with a time of 8 hours, 6 minutes, and 48 seconds. In the women's category, Yui Kazama won with a time of 10 hours, 37 minutes, and 53 seconds. In the men's 71 km U25 category, Koda Suganuma won with a time of 6 hours, 2 minutes, and 36 seconds. In the women's category, Yuka Kawakatsu won with a time of 6 hours, 20 minutes, and 14 seconds. Notably, Yuka Kawakatsu, the winner of the women's 71 km U25 category, finished with a remarkable record that surpassed the overall women's winning time. Although the category was different, her run left a strong impression of the high competitive level of the young generation.■ Top FinishersThis event also saw high-level races in both the 100 km and 71 km categories. In the men's 100 km category, Yuta Ono won with a time of 7 hours, 19 minutes, and 48 seconds. In the women's category, Rieko Kodama won with a time of 8 hours, 32 minutes, and 19 seconds. In the men's 71 km category, Katsuhiro Kitajima won with a time of 5 hours, 4 minutes, and 51 seconds. In the women's category, Mika Fujihara stood at the top with a time of 6 hours, 44 minutes, and 43 seconds. Amidst the challenging ups and downs of the Hida Takayama course, powerful races unfolded in each category, with many runners challenging their respective goals. For the latest records, please visit this link.■ Message from the OrganizersThe Hida Takayama Ultramarathon was able to celebrate its 14th anniversary thanks to the support of the local community, volunteers, and related organizations. Not only on the day of the event but also during the preparation stages, we were able to welcome runners from all over the country to the land of Hida Takayama with the cooperation of many people. Through encounters, interactions, and mutual support between runners and the local community, this event has been nurtured. We will continue to strive to provide many runners with the opportunity to challenge themselves at an event where they can experience the unique natural surroundings, culture, and warmth of the people of Hida Takayama.【Official Event Website】https://www.r-wellness.com/takayama/≪Runners Wellness≫Runners Wellness plans and operates various marathon events throughout the year, including the Shonan International Marathon, Yokohama Marathon, and Challenge Fuji Five Lakes Ultramarathon. They also coordinate the production of TV programs such as the 24-hour TV Marathon project, provide PR support for companies, products, and athletes related to sports and entertainment, and engage in health clinic businesses based on the concept of wellness. Official Website: https://www.r-wellness.com/