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!

Karikachi Trail Run

Karikachi Trail Run
2013 狩勝トレイルランニング大会

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


The course takes you over an old railroad path from more than 100 years ago and down forest access roads.

Distance: 20k, 10k, 4k
Apply by: April 25

Apply by fax or through the organizer's website at http://www.karikachi.org/trailrun/.

Fee: 3,500 yen for 20 and 10k, 1500 yen for 4k.

We are seeing more and more trail runs popping up here in Hokkaido.  Have you run one yet?

Three others that come to mind are Niseko, Shimizu and Shikaoi.

Plus, there is an ultra trail this year with distances of 110k, 100k and 72k and 36k, the
MAMMUT CUP Mt TAISETSU Trail Journey (大雪山ウルトラトレイル) in July.
http://www.mttaisetsu-trail.jp/

Karikachi Summer Road Race

The Karikachi Summer Road Race in Shintoku.

I just got the application for this today in the mail. Very small local race. The short courses are almost entirely on Shintoku's well known grass running course. The one eigth marathon (5.275km) and quarter marathons (10.549km) take you off of the grass course and out onto country roads lined with summer crops of maybe potatoes or sugar beets. Usually the potatoes are in full bloom and their fragrant smell tries to encourage you to slow down and enjoy.

Date: July 17
Place: Shintoku Sahoro Riverside Park Golf Course

The grass running course goes around the golf course.

Fee: 2000 yen for high school and above, 1000 yen for junior high school and below.

Please see the details of the event below and if you have any questions feel free to comment on this post and I will answer as soon as possible. I'm sorry this is not more details but my wife is in the hospital and I have to take care of the kids.

Karikachi Sumer Road Race (Shintoku)

Karikachi Sumer Road Race

狩勝サマーロードレース大会
July 19
Apply by July 12
Registration: 8am
Start 9:30am
Finish: noon
Place: Sahoro Riverside Park Golf Course in front of the SHintoku Onsen Hotel.
Events: 10.549km , 5.275km, + kids distances of 3.5, 2.6, and 1.8kms
Fee: 2,000, 1,000 for kids
Places: 1-3 medals
Participation prizes too.
Certificate of completion (write your own time on it).
How to apply: take your application from and the entry fee to
#1
Shintoku-cho Kuttari Midorimachi 1-chome 89
Inoue-san　（井上）
Tel 01566-5-2458
〒081-0163北海道上川郡新得町屈足緑町1丁目89
OR
#2
SHintoku-cho 5jyo minami 4-chome
Sintoku chomin taiikukan
BUT, please try and take your app to #1
The first and last few km are on Shintoku's grass course and then you run out of the park and up a steep hill and out into the surrounding farm land. Usually, there is a jitsugyodan team there for a camp and they usually run along with the other runners to encourage them along.
This is the only race that has allowed me to run with my kids in our jogging stroller.

27th Annual Karikachi Summer Road Race in Shintoku-cho
Here is the information you need to sign up. Take your application directly to them.

Check the Karikachi Road Race on the calendar to the right.
Check the Hokkaido Road Races Map for location.

25th Karikachi Summer Road Race

25th Annual Karikachi Summer Road Race

第25回狩勝サマーロードレース大会

Karikachi Summer Road Race

Date: July 20, 2008 (Sun)
Reception: 8:00
Start 9:30 (short) 10:00 (long)
Place: Shintoku (新得町)

Distance: 5.275, 10.549
Meet at: Shinsui Hiroba inside the Sahoro Riverside Park Golf Course
Fee: 2000yen
Places: 1-3 medals
Certificate of completion with space to write your time on.
Participation prizes.
Apply to:

井上　茂
〒081-0163
Kamikawa-gun, Shintoku-cho, Kuttari Midorimachi 1-chome 89

Tel/Fax: 01566-5-2458
Apply with
Team Name:
Name:
Reading of name in hiragana:
Division:
Date of birth:
Address:
Tel #:
Divisions:
一般女子 10.549k Women's
一般女子　5.275k Women's
一般男子　10.549k Men's
一般男子 5.275k Men's
A. Jr. high school to 29years
B. 30s
C. 40s
D. 50s
E. 60s and up

Karikachi Summer Road Race

24th Annual Karikachi Summer Road Race

第24回狩勝サマーロードレース大会

Date: July 15, 2007 (Sun)
Reception: 8:00
Start 9:30 (short) 10:00 (long)
Place: Shintoku (新得町)

Distance: 5.275, 10.549

Meet at: Shinsui Hiroba inside the Sahoro Riverside Park Golf Course

Fee: 2000yen

Places: 1-3 medals

Certificate of completion with space to write your time on.

Participation prizes.

Apply to:

井上　茂
〒081-0163
Kamikawa-gun, Shintoku-cho, Kuttari Midorimachi 1-chome 89

Tel/Fax: 01566-5-2458

Apply with
Team Name:
Name:
Reading of name in hiragana:
Division:
Date of birth:
Address:
Tel #:

Divisions:
一般女子 10.549k Women's
一般女子　5.275k Women's
一般男子　10.549k Men's
一般男子 5.275k Men's

A. Jr. high school to 29years
B. 30s
C. 40s
D. 50s
E. 60s and up