27th Hitachiota City Nishikanasa Mountain Climbing Marathon

Hitachiota, Japan

Sunday, November 15, 2026

· In 2 weeks

Choose your distance

14K· €30

Distance

14km

Start Time

10:00

Cutoff

Gate at the 9.5 km point (near the third water station)

Terrain

Mixed

Difficulty

Beginner

Overview

The race climbs through the Nishikanasa hills above Hitachiota, using roughly 300 metres of elevation change across a mix of mountain road and trail. Autumn colour fills the ridges, and stone sculptures stand beside the course as runners pass. Both the 14km and the 5km start and finish in front of the Kanasa no Yu hot spring at Nishikanasa Yukemuri no Sato. Everyone is treated to free kenchin soba and a complimentary soak in the hot spring after finishing, which gives the day a warm, local character.

Autumn foliage across the Nishikanasa ridges
Stone sculptures dotted along the course
Free kenchin soba (Hitachi autumn buckwheat noodles) service
Free entry to the Kanasa no Yu hot spring
Sightseeing nearby at Nishikanasa Shrine, Ryujin Big Suspension Bridge and Nishiyama-so

The practical side

Qualification

Open to anyone healthy enough to complete the course. Minors need parental consent, and junior high school students and younger cannot enter. Runners with a disability who cannot run alone may use a guide runner, arranged by the participant.

Start / Finish

Start

In front of the Kanasa no Yu hot spring at Nishikanasa Yukemuri no Sato (西金砂湯けむりの郷金砂の湯前)

Finish

In front of the Kanasa no Yu hot spring at Nishikanasa Yukemuri no Sato (西金砂湯けむりの郷金砂の湯前)

Terrain

A mountain course built around roughly 300 m of elevation change, running through the Nishikanasa hills on a mix of mountain road and trail with repeated climbs and descents.

Route

Starts and finishes in front of the Kanasa no Yu hot spring at Nishikanasa Yukemuri no Sato. The route climbs into the hills above Hitachiota, where autumn foliage covers the ridges and stone sculptures stand beside the course. A gate is set at the 9.5 km point near the third water station.

Getting There

JR Suigun Line Yamagatajuku Station, about 10 minutes by taxi. By car: about 40 minutes from Naka I.C. via National Route 118 towards Hitachiomiya City; about 40 minutes from Hitachi-Minami-Ota I.C. via National Route 293 towards Hitachiota City.

Race Day

There is no opening ceremony. Number cards arrive by post beforehand, so runners go straight to the start. The 14km sets off at 10:00 and the 5km at 10:05, both from in front of the Kanasa no Yu hot spring.

Recovery

After the race, participants can use the Kanasa no Yu hot spring free of charge and are served free kenchin soba.

Good to know

What you get

Finisher certificate

Chip timing

Race photos

Participation gift: Hitachiota-grown rice, natto and a sports drink (planned)

Free bathing at the Kanasa no Yu hot spring

WEB record certificate

Insurance under the city scheme

Prizes for the top three in each division, handed out on race day (subject to change with field size)

Food after the finishFree kenchin soba made with Hitachi autumn buckwheat noodles is served to participants.

PrizesThe participation gift is planned to include Hitachiota-grown rice, natto and a sports drink. The top three in each division receive prizes handed out on race day, with the number of prizes subject to the size of the field.

On the day

Changing facilities

First aid on course

Water on course3

Parking360 spaces in total: P1 around the venue (50), P2 Kyoren-ji (50), P3 Oaza Municipal Road (100), P4 Furusato Taiken Koryu Shisetsu (100), P5 Shimomiyagawauchi Community Center (30), P6 temporary parking (30). Shuttle buses run from P3–P6 to the venue. Cars parked at P1 cannot be moved until the race is finished. Numbers are limited, so please carpool.

ShuttleShuttle bus from JR Suigun Line Yamagatajuku Station to the venue: departures from the station at 7:25, 8:00, 8:45; departures from the venue at 11:20, 12:30, 13:35. Shuttle buses also run from parking P3–P6 to the venue.

Public transportJR Suigun Line Yamagatajuku Station, about 10 minutes by taxi. By car: about 40 minutes from Naka I.C. via National Route 118 towards Hitachiomiya City; about 40 minutes from Hitachi-Minami-Ota I.C. via National Route 293 towards Hitachiota City.

AccessibilityRunners with a disability who find it difficult to run alone may be accompanied by a guide runner, whose entry is free of charge. The guide must be arranged by the participant.

Bag dropYes, there is a paid cloakroom. Valuables are not accepted, and all bags remain the owner's responsibility, as the organisers accept no liability for theft or loss.

Aid stations9.5 km point: third water station on the 14km course · 3rd aid station (第3給水所) near the 9.5 km point of the 14 km course; this point is also the cutoff (closes 11:50)

Before you enter

RefundsIf the event is cancelled, the participation fee is refunded minus the expenses already incurred.

TransfersEntries can be handed to another runner through RUNNET's Yuzureru transfer service, open from 23 July 2026 00:00 to 2 October 2026 23:59. Transfers begin after the entry period closes or after the field fills.

If the race is cancelledIf the event is cancelled, your participation fee is refunded minus the costs already incurred by the organisers.

Bad weatherIf a natural disaster or weather severe enough to make racing impossible occurs, the event may be cancelled.

Minimum ageJunior high school students and younger cannot enter. Runners under 18 need the consent of a parent or guardian.

Time limitThe 14km course has a gate at the 9.5 km point, close to the third water station.

€30

per person · entry fee

Hitachiota, Japan

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Qualification required: Open to anyone healthy enough to complete the course. Minors need parental consent, and junior high school students and younger cannot enter. Runners with a disability who cannot run alone may use a guide runner, arranged by the participant.

Nishikanasa Mountain Climbing Marathon Organising Committee, Hitachiota City Board of Education, Hitachiota City Sports Association

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27th Hitachiota City Nishikanasa Mountain Climbing Marathon

Overview

The practical side

Good to know

Is there race-day registration or number collection?

Can I give my entry to someone else if I cannot run?

What is the course like?

What is there to do around the race?

€30

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