2016 Season has started!

Last weekend, the first race of the season, the Shiranuka Road Race, was held and my social network feeds were flooded with pictures and race reports.

Note: Most races can be applied for through Runnet.  You can also contact the race organizers and get apply-by-mail application forms.  You usually need to have an address in Japan to apply.  Most races cannot be entered on race day.  (Although some, run by running clubs, can.)

For more information on entering races in Japan, head on over to the Japan Running News blog at http://japanrunningnews.blogspot.jp .
Their specific page on entering races in Japan is here: Race Entries.

Now for a short list of races that you may be able to apply for in Hokkaido.

Nikkan Sports Toyohira-gawa Half Marathon (Sapporo)

May 5 (Children's Day)
Dist: Half, 10k, 5k, 3k
Application: Feb 1, through March 31
http://www.toyomara.com/

Hokkaido Marathon - 30th Anniversary (Sapporo)

August 28
Application starts April 3 at 18:00pm and closes shortly thereafter (usually, within two hours!)
If you want to try and get into this race, and it is worth it, visit it's Runnet site at
https://entry.runnet.jp/entry/runtes/user/pc/competitionDetailAction.do?raceId=123074&div=1
Or their homepage for more information.  Also, if you are registering online you need to create an account with Runnet. You will need a credit card and an address in Japan. The marathon also has a multi-language website with information.

http://hokkaido-marathon.com/2016/overview-en/

Ohotsuku - Abashiri Marathon

September 25
This is a new marathon started in 2015 and is one I am eager to try.
Application starts April 1 and runs through June 30.
http://www.abashiri-marathon.jp

Northern Horse Park Half marathon and Ekiden (Chitose / Sapporo area)

May 14 and 15

Dist: Half, 7km Trail + Half, 2.5km 

Application until March 31

http://www.nhp-marathon.com/

Karikachi Trail Running (Shintoku / Tokachi area)

May 22

Apply by April 25

http://www.karikachi.org/trailrun/

20km, 12km, 4km Trail Run

Apply on Runnet: http://runnet.jp/entry/runtes/user/pc/competitionDetailAction.do?raceId=120793&div=1

There are many more events coming up, especially in June.  Check the archives to get an idea of where and when races are!

Upcomming Races in Hokkaido

Long time no see.  A few upcoming races in Hokkaido.

May 20, 38th Annual Lake Toya Marathon
5月20日　第38回洞爺湖マラソン2012

http://www.town.toyako.hokkaido.jp/10_others/marathon2012A.jsp

Entry starts March 1st.

Where: Toyako-cho

This flat course takes you around Lake Toya with views of Mt. Yotei and the smoking Mt. Usu. A beautiful course to run in the spring time with pink and white blossoming trees lining the course.

If you go up a day early you can camp lakeside and save some cash while enjoying what nature has to offer. We always do.

 ⇒ http://runnet.jp/mail/u/l?p=Umv8e4v_he4Z




June 3rd,  32nd Chitose International Marathon
http://www.city.chitose.hokkaido.jp/chitosejalmarathon/kousiki/
6月3日　第32回千歳JAL国際マラソン
⇒ http://runnet.jp/mail/u/l?p=iJFPUUD18I0Z


Where: Chitose-shi

The relatively flat course is on wood-chipped trails and cycling paths and the road going around Lake Shikotsu.  A nice place to run.

Also in May are

5月4日     札幌市     第2回　日刊札幌駅伝    

May 4, Sapporo, Nikkan Sports Ekiden

http://runnet.jp/runtes/raceDetail/top/m50937.html

 

5月5日    札幌市     日刊スポーツ豊平川マラソン 

May 5, Sapporo, Nikkan Sports Toyohira River Marathon

http://runnet.jp/runtes/raceDetail/top/m50936.html

5月13日    苫小牧市、千歳市、安平町     ノーザンホースパークマラソン2012

May 13, Tomakomai, Chitose, Abira, Northern Park Marathon 2012

http://www.nhp-marathon.com/

 

 

Northern Horse Park Half Marathon

Northern Horse Park Half Marathon.
Where: Tomakomai City
When: May 15, 2011
What:
7k Trail Run
Half Marathon
Child and Parent Fun Run


7000 yen for the half marathon
10,000 yen for entry into both the trail and the half together.


Buffet available on the day of the race to entrants.
Pre-race dinner the night before ( not free).

T-Shirt to all entrants
Free shuttle bus to onsen.
Top 6 runners in each category (not for Child parent entrants) gets part ownership of a race horse(?).


Lottery drawing for invitational entry into the Tanigawa Mari Half Marathon in Tokyo. This is for Hokkaido residents only.
Lottery drawing for invitational entry into the Honolulu Marathon for ladies only.

You can donate to the Association for Aid and Reliefe (AAR), Japan charity to help refugees and to help fund the removal of land mines when you apply.  The Tanigawa Mari Half Marathon is also a charity marathon that donates to the AAR. 

Entry Period/Deadline:
February 4 to April 15, 2011


Event Date: May 15, 2011

Call 03-5280-0155 for more information (10am to 6pm weekdays)
Call 03-371407924 to request pamphlets.

There is an entry free to get into the Northern Horse Park for people not entered into the race.
You can apply for the race on runnet.jp. Runtes No：02585

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Official Homepage
http://www.nhp-marathon.com/