In less than a week, the 5th annual XTERRA Japan Championship will kick off in historic Marunuma Kogen, Japan! The world class off-road triathlon and 30km trail running championships will be held in the majestic Marunuma Kogen (sometimes known as ‘Malnuma’), located in the northeastern area of Gunma Prefecture. With the magnificent Mount Shirane as a background, Marunuma Kogen is well-known as offering excellent skiing and outdoor adventure. The surrounding area is also full of ancient history, especially the town of NIKO. There will be a lot of elevation gain as the course goes up several steep climbs throughout mountains, open fields and dense forest. Last year, several hundred athletes from all over the world participated in the off-road triathlon, 10km, and 30km events. This will be my 5th XTERRA championship level event that has been highlighted by strong finishes at the 2008 and 2009 XTERRA Trail Running World Championships and winning the title of 2009 XTERRA New England Trail Run Series Regional Champion.

Marunuma, Japan

Mount Kusatsu-Shirane

XTERRA Japan Championship Preview:

This year’s race will feature quite a few elite and amateur athletes from all over the world, representing numerous countries.  The event has grown tremendously over the past several years, and a diverse, strong field is expected.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, August 28^th

XTERRA Japan Championship
SWIM: 1200m / MTB: 25km / Trail Run: 10km

XTERRA JAPAN DUATHLON
1ST RUN: 1.5km / MTB: 25km / 2nd RUN: 10km

XTERRA RELAY
SWIM: 1200m / MTB: 25km / Trail Run: 10km

08:30- Registration
10:40- Mandatory Briefing
12:10- Championship & Relay start
12:20- Duathlon start
17:30 Course Closure
18:15- Award Party

Sunday, August 29^th

XTERRA TRAIL RUN
Trail Run: 30km

XTERRA light TRAIL RUN
Trail Run: 10 km

XTERRA KIDS&LIGHT
SWIM: 200m / MTB: 4km / Trail Run: 2km

XTERRA FAMILY WALK
Walk: 5km

05:30- Trail Run Registration
06:30- Trail Run Mandatory Briefing
07:00- Trail Run start
07:10- Light Trail Run start
07:30- Family Walk start
08:00- Kids&Light Mandatory Briefing
09:00- Kids&Light Start
11:30- Kids&Light/Light Trail Run Award Ceremony
15:00- Trail Run Award Ceremony

For more information, contact Mai Chiku at XTERRA Japan.

Mai Chiku
XTERRA Japan Office
office@xterrajapan.net
c/o ATHLONIA Corp.
1F, 17-10 Sarugaku-cho,
Shibuya-ku, TOKYO
JAPAN 150-0033
TEL: 03-6277-5131
FAX: 03-6277-5132
URL: www.athlonia.com

http://www.xterrajapan.net

About the XTERRA Trail Run Series:

XTERRA is on a mission to produce the most recognizable, enjoyable, root slipping, mud hopping, tree ducking, river crossing, hill climbing, dirt on your shirt, sweat in your eye trail runs this side of Grandma’s house!

More than 50 races across the U.S. comprise the XTERRA Trail Run Series and offer age group athletes the opportunity to become regional champions. We’ll also crown National Champions in Bend, Oregon on September 13 and World Champions in Hawaii on December 6.

Along the way XTERRA Trail Runs give back to the community by involving not-for-profits as beneficiaries at our events.