Climb 700m Elevation in One Go: The 5th Gozu Mountain Trail Race to Be Held on September 22, 2026, in Agano City, Niigata Prefecture

The Gozu Skyrunning Executive Committee (Agano City, Niigata Prefecture) will host the '5th Gozu Mountain Trail Race' on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The event is a vertical race (4.4km / +700m elevation) starting from Oomurasugi Camp and ascending to the summit of Gonofu Peak on Mount Gozu. Certified by the Japan Skyrunning Association (JSA) as the 5th round of the 'V GAMES JAPAN' series, the race attracts participants from across Japan.

Event Overview

The Gozu Mountain Trail Race began in 2022 with the mission of 'energizing Agano City and sharing the charm of Mount Gozu with more people.' Each year, the event has grown in scale, offering participants a chance to experience the region's rich natural environment and local culture through the sport of skyrunning, centered around the Gozu hot spring area.

The organizing committee emphasizes three pillars: 'participate, watch, and support.' The goal is to create an event where not only competing runners but also local residents, supporters, staff, and sponsoring companies all feel pride and enjoyment.

About the V GAMES JAPAN Series

V GAMES JAPAN is the official domestic skyrunning series organized by the Japan Skyrunning Association (JSA). Focused on vertical races—steep uphill mountain races—this nationwide series features events across Japan where athletes compete for annual points. The Gozu Mountain Trail Race serves as the 5th round, a crucial mid-to-late season race in the series.

Call for Sponsors and Partners

For the 5th edition, the committee is actively seeking corporate and organizational sponsors and partners. Three sponsorship tiers are available: Gold (¥30,000), Silver (¥10,000), and Bronze (¥5,000). Additionally, partnership opportunities are available through in-kind donations or operational support. Benefits include logo placement on race bibs, official website listings, and promotional posts on the event's official Instagram account, all contributing to enhanced brand visibility.

For detailed terms and further information, please visit the official website or contact the event office.

Registration and Details

Registration is now open (capacity: 150 participants, first-come, first-served). Eligibility requires participants to be healthy middle school students or older and capable of descending the mountain independently. Entry fees are ¥4,500 for general and elite (JSA-registered) participants, and ¥3,500 for U18 (both include insurance).

For details and registration, please visit the official website.

Official Website

Event Overview

Item

Details

Event Name

5th Gozu Mountain Trail Race

Date

September 22, 2026 (Tuesday)

Venue

Oomurasugi Camp (Agano City, Niigata Prefecture)

Course

Vertical 4.4km / +700m (Oomurasugi Camp to Gonofu Peak summit)

Capacity

150 participants (total across all categories)

Entry Fee

General/Elite: ¥4,500 / U18: ¥3,500 (insurance included)

Eligibility

Middle school students and older in good health. Must follow mountain climbing rules and etiquette and be able to descend independently.

Organizer

Gozu Skyrunning Executive Committee

Supporting Organizations

Agano City, Agano City Tourism Association, Agano City Chamber of Commerce

Series

Japan Skyrunning Association 'V GAMES JAPAN' Round 5

Official Website

https://x.gd/hhy7h

Inquiries

[email protected] (Contact: Endo)

Press Inquiries

Gozu Skyrunning Executive Committee Contact: Endo Email: [email protected] Instagram: @gozuskyrunning