Iga, Mie Pref., Japan · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Fixed Distance 50K

Ninja Trail Run

14 days to go

48 km Distance

2,500 m Climbing

6.2 Grit · Hardcore

34.7498° N, 136.1423° E © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 52 m / km Mountain. Significant climbing. Steep sections will require power hiking.

Time limit 10 hours 12:30 min/km average. Comfortable. Sustained running. Long aid-station stops will cost you. About average for a 50K. Measured against 1057 races of the same distance. Cut-off calculator →

Field size ~293 Large. Rarely out of sight of another runner.

DUV results for the 2025 edition (48km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, November

Daytime high 14°C

Night low 5°C

Rainfall Showers likely

Daylight 10 h 48 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for November — NASA POWER, grid elevation 382 m. Not a forecast.

Results history

Year	Race	Finishers	Men's winner	Women's winner
2025	48km	293	Tsubasa Azuma · 04:52:24	Saho Fujita · 05:59:58
2024	48km	249	Hirokazu Nishimura · 04:48:15	Suzuha Kusuda · 05:46:31
2023	48km	200	Hirokazu Nishimura · 04:55:24	Yasuko Natsume · 06:56:29
2022	48km	202	Tsubasa Azuma · 05:05:43	Aimi Kawahara · 06:34:55
2019	48km	365	Tetsuya Osugi · 04:52:39	Suzuha Kusuda · 05:40:36
2018	48km	336	Yoshihito Kondo · 04:51:43	Ayano Saito · 05:54:23
2017	48km	234	Tetsuya Osugi · 04:40:20	Yuri Yoshizumi · 05:07:54

The field grew 18% between 2024 (249) and 2025 (293). 14% of the 2025 field were women.

DUV results for the 2025 edition (48km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Course notes

terrain This is a mountain course. Poles are highly recommended for the sustained climbs.
gear With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

Gear for this race

Chosen for 48 km of trail with 2,500 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes 52 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition 48 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration Vests Pole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles 2,500 m of ascent to walk up.
GPS Watches Battery life first — a 48 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.

Adidas

Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

RunRepeat found the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra to be perfect for midfoot and forefoot strikers, while iRunFar noted that the shoe feels incredibly effici…

★★★★★ 4.5

Brooks

Catamount 3

RunRepeat found the Brooks Catamount 3 to have a cozier upper that enhances the overall fit, though breathability and durability could be better. iRunFar noted…

★★★★★ 4.5

Skratch Labs

Sport Hydration Mix

Clean electrolyte drink mix with real fruit flavor. Low sugar.

$20 ★★★★★ 4.5

Nathan

VaporKrar 12L

12L race vest co-designed with ultra champion Rob Krar, with insulated bladder pocket.

$170 ★★★★★ 4.6

Black Diamond

Distance FLZ

Lightweight folding trekking poles with FlickLock Z adjustment. 340g per pole.

$170 ★★★★★ 4.7

Garmin

Enduro 3

Ultra-endurance GPS watch with solar charging and 300+ hour battery in GPS mode.

$900 ★★★★★ 4.8

All gear guides →

Overview

The Ninja Trail Run is a 48 km fixed-distance trail race in Iga, Mie Pref., Japan, organised by the Iga Trail Runners Club. With 2500m of elevation gain over its 48 km, the course climbs 52.1m per kilometre. This makes it a hillier challenge than many 50k races.

The 10-hour time limit is more generous than 59% of 50k cut-offs, allowing for a 12.5 minute per kilometre average pace. The field size of 293 finishers at its latest edition in 2025 was bigger than 95% of 50k fields.

The race will next take place in November 2026.

Similar races

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