Ultra Trail Mount Fuji 2018 kicks off tomorrow, with Pau Capell, Bowman and Chaigneau among top favorites.

Posted by mayayo oxigeno on April 26, 2018 in pau capell, penyagolosa trails, trail running, trail running 2018, trail running calendar 2018, trail running spain, ulta trail world tour 2017, Ultra Trail, ultra trail mount fuji, ultra trail mount fuji 2018, ultra trail world tour, ultra trails | Leave a comment

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ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI, one of the most international ultra-distance trail running events representing Japan, will kick off its 6th edition on Friday, April 27. The event comes back to the springtime since its last edition in September 2016 and no race in 2017. Spaniard Pau Capell is among top favorites after his win at Transgrancanaria. 

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Another significant change from previous editions is course of UTMF 168km. It turns to point-to-point, from its iconic single loop. As a result, both UTMF and STY 92km start from Kodomo-no-Kuni, the south of Mt. Fuji, and go clockwise to finish at Kawaguchiko, the north of the volcano. 2,400 runners are registered in UTMF (168km) or STY (92km) on April 27-29

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ULTRA TRAIL MOUNT FUJI 2018:

BACK INTO ULTRA TRAIL WORLD TOUR FOR CHERRY BLOSSOM.

Both Kodomo-no-Kuni and Kawaguchiko will welcome runners, their families and
spectators with UTMF EXPO, music, locals favorite food and drink. On the internet, anyone can follow
leaders and favorite runners with LiveTrail. In addition, live streaming video program, “UTMF Live Show” will deliver live image and voice on live for fifty hours (only in Japanese). Last but not least, ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI is happy to come back to Ultra-Trail World Tour with UTMF 168km as PRO race, after its absence last year.

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Ohike Kouen in Fujikawaguchiko already was full of runners today to check in for STY and UTMF. UTMF EXPO, 35 booths of our sponsors and exhibitors, is also open here in Ohike Kouen. Race organization had press conference with elite athletes from Japan and overseas countries.

Tsuyoshi Kaburaki, overall race director of ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI, said he could not tell if UTMF could come back again when the last 2016 edition was shortened and canceled due to heavy rain. In his opening remarks, “I deeply appreciate all the people who helped us to make our dream come back again. I would appreciate if runners enjoy and savor the beauty of nature and tie of local community in UTMF, as well as racing.”, Kaburaki said.

Dylan Bowman (USA) was the 2016 UTMF (shortened) champion, and looked back his experience and says he is excited to run full UTMF this year. “UTMF is so impressive with friendly people that I made my mind to come again.”

Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA), is going to take on his fifth run in UTMF. “Every year I come back to home from UTMF, I mark calendar next year date of UTMF. The trip to UTMF is something beyond racing Ultra-Trail.”, Chaigneau said.

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ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI 2018. PROGRAM. 

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• UTMF (ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI) Distance 168km, Vertical gain approximately 8,100ｍ
  Start at 15:00 (JST, UTC+9), Friday, April 27, 2018
  Cut-off: 46 hours
  Number of participants: 1,400

• .STY (Shizuoka to Yamanashi) Distance 92km, Vertical gain approximately 4,100ｍ
  Start at 12:00 (JST, UTC+9), Friday, April 27, 2018
  Cut-off: 20 hours
  Number of participants: 1,000

Both UTMF and STY start from Fujisan-Kodomo-no-Kuni (Fuji, Shizuoka)
Both UTMF and STY finish at Ohike-Kouen (Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi)

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ULTRA TRAIL WORLD TOUR 2018 CALENDAR: 

According to the organizers, this 2018 edition will once again be an invitation to travel and to surpass oneself, both for elite runners and amateurs. Much as it happened with its rival the Skyrunnner World Series which came down this year from 23 to 18 races, the UTWT also sizes down this year as its says goodbye  Diagonale des Fous. On the other hand it yet maintains its presence on the five continents where in fact the 2017 calendar is yet to finish. Indeed, the Ultra-Trail Cape Town (South Africa) (December, 2nd 2017) will close the 2017 edition. Andrea Huser and François d’Haene are already sure to win the annual UTWT ranking.

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As for the relevance of each race, the same 4 categories will remain with SERIES BONUS at top of the game, followed by SERIES, then PRO and finally least important of all as for the victory raking will be the CHALLENGER. From a spanish perspective it must be noted that both Transgrancanaria and Penyagolosa Trails remain for 2018, albeit the former with SERIES status, while the later is just a CHALLENGER race.

See full schedule below

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MORE ON SKIMO, TRAIL RUNNING AND MOUNTAIN GEAR

• Our best reviews for selected mountain gear.
• Our video collection with athlete´s interviews, races and more.
• Carrerasdemontana.com offers the best trail info in spanish, since 2007. 

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Info by Mayayo Oxígeno for Trailrunningspain