The fourth race of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors will take place on mythical Mount Fuji, in Japan. An exciting weekend of the best trail running in the world that will bring together 3400 runners from 34 different countries race over two distances. The 100 mile race counts for the world Trail Majors series. Also on the same dates is the fourth race in the series, MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra Trail.
Tenth edition and new name: Mt.FUJI 100
In 2024, the most prestigious ultra race in the land of the rising sun celebrates its tenth edition and changes its name to Mt.FUJI 100. Born from the idea of creating an epic race on the highest mountain in Japan, part of the country’s culture and an iconic mountain recognised all over the world thanks to the well-known painting by Katsushika Hokusai.
It was runner Tsuyoshi Kaburaki, a legend in his country, who brought the idea to reality and has set himself the challenge of running all ten Gran Canaria World Trail Majors in the coming years, starting with his own event, the one he helped to create at a time when ultra running in Japan was a minority sport and none of the races had mass-participation. In 2012, around 850 runners took the start line of the then Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji with Julien Chorier and Nerea Martinez being the first.
The race quickly gained international notoriety and has seen victories from legends of the sport such as François D’Haene, Xavier Thevenard or Krissy Moehl, meaning international runners have increasingly travelled to Japan for the race.
Mt. Fuji, 100 miles and the Mt.FUJI 100 Challenge
Almost always in view of the runners of the Mt.FUJI 100 is the 3776 metre high Mount Fuji, an active volcano, although the last eruption was 300 years ago. Its foothills are a trail running paradise with forests, hills, and beautiful clear lakes. Fuji is also a spiritual landmark where many pilgrims make an annual journey for religious reasons.
Dylan Bowman, winner in 2016 and 2018, described the race as “The unique thing about Mt. Fuji is that it alternates between flat, runnable sections and long, tough climbs and descents”. The steepness of some of its descents, the roots that trip you at any time and the changes of pace depending on the terrain are features of the course.
Also an integral part of Mt.FUJI 100 is the weather, which at this stage of the year is quite unpredictable on the island, it caused cancellation of the race in 2017 and the withdrawal of most of the runners in 2019.
Courtney Dauwalter goes for the double
If there is one star of the Mt.FUJI 100 2024 it is undoubtedly the American Courtney Dauwalter (Salomon, ITRA 852), recent winner of The North Face Transgrancanaria, who with a second victory on the course would put her in an excellent position for overall victory. Courtney, quality aside, also knows the course as she won the race in 2018 and if she were to take first place, she would become the first runner to have two victories.
Her rivals will not make it easy for her: Nicole Bitter (USA, Altra, ITRA 732) with podiums at Javelina Jundred in the past and this season at Rocky Raccoon 50M; Ki Chun Wong (Hong Kong, China, Salomon, 686) who in early March has won the Victory 162, 161 km and +7800 m achieving seventh place in the Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon 2023; Yukari Seimiya (Japan, Inner-Fact, 684), second last year in Shinetsu Five Mountains Trail; or the Chinese Jun Liu (China, 630) and Junyue Zheng (Kailas Fuga, 622). Asian athletes make up a large part of the entry, with more than 300 athletes from China (including Hong Kong), Thailand and South Korea.
Strong competition in the Men’s field
Chinese runners might be the ones to watch in the Mens race with tops seeds being Guomin Deng (The North Face, ITRA 872) fifth in the inaugural Gran Canaria World Trail Majors, Anta Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon, Guidu Qin (Outopia, 869), fourth in Hong Kong, or Longfei Yan (Kailas Fuga, 836). The local field is also strong, with lots of strong Japanese long-distance runners on the entry list: Yuya Kawasaki (Goldwin, 863) second in Fuji last year, Kento Tamura (A’S Group, 853), winner over the short distance in Fuji in 2023, Hajime Mamba (Gigwing, 826) and Takashi Doi (The North Face, 822).
Other runners to watch out for are John Ray Onifa Stingrey (Philippines, T8, ITRA 863), Anthony Lee (USA, Topo, 829) and Frenchmen Gregoire Curmer (On, 853) winner of Grand Raid Reunion 2019 and Alexandre Boucheix Casquette Verte (Salomon, 829).
KAI70k, the sister race at Fuji
With both start and finish in the city of Fujiyoshida, covering a distance of 69.4 km with 3493 m of positive elevation gain, the KAI70k is held as the ‘short’ race of the Japanese event. Nevertheless, it doesn’t lack in sporting level, featuring among its participants the brave Spanish runner Tòfol Castanyer (Nnormal, ITRA 825), who will have to contend with local athletes Goshi Osada (840), Koji Morimoto (The North Face, 822), Yutaro Yokouchi (Asics, 813), and Chinese runner Xingjing Li (Outopia, 815). Andreu Simón (Spain, Asics, 908), originally entered in the long distance race, has abandoned the idea of running 160 km due to injury and may participate in the KAI70 instead.
In the women’s category, Stephanie Howe (United States, The North Face, ITRA 679) stands out, the winner of Western States 100 in 2014, who will face a strong local field including Yuri Yoshimuzi (Mt.Fuji Springs, 751), sixth in The North Face Transgrancanaria 2024 and winner of the KAI70k in 2022, or Honoka Akiyama (Nagano Police Force, 747), ninth in the 2023 Innsbruck World Championships.
How to follow Mt.FUJI 100
The third World Trail Majors event can be followed on streaming as well as on social media and live tracking.
Web: https://mtfuji100.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mt.FUJI100/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mt.fuji100/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MtFUJI100
YouTube/streaming (Japanese): https://www.youtube.com/@mtfuji100
YouTube/streaming (English):
Results: https://v2.ouennavi.jp/teaser/?eid=000000000338673
Leaderboard: https://leaderboard.runnet.jp/?tri=02524_20240426_01
GPS Tracking: https://ibuki.run/ev/8963646647679083605/
The scheduled times for various time zones are:
