Skyline Trail Sugadaira Under Armour Cup

The 19th Skyline Trail Sugadaira Under Armour Cup is a premier mountain running event held in the scenic Sugadaira Highlands of Nagano Prefecture. Scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, the race features a breathtaking panoramic course reaching altitudes of up to 2,207 meters at the summit of Mt. Nekodake. The event is a celebration of "skyrunning," connecting the most beautiful ridges and foothills in the Shinshu region.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- Main Venue: Under Armour Sugadaira Sania Park, Nagano, Japan. The park serves as the start/finish area and the hub for the event's outdoor expo.
• -- Digital Check-in: No physical documents or bibs are mailed prior to the event. Participants must present a QR code (sent via email/mobile 10 days before the race) at the reception desk.
• -- Pre-Event Activities: Saturday, May 23, includes race check-in (1:00 PM – 6:30 PM), a safety lecture by Dr. Rikka Fukuda, and an athlete meeting featuring world-renowned ultra-runner Wataru Iino.
• -- Expo and Amenities: The Sania Park venue will host Under Armour booths, various outdoor manufacturer displays, and numerous food and beverage vendors on both days.
• -- Mandatory 50K Check-in: Runners in the Long 50K category must check in on Saturday; there is no check-in available on the morning of the race for this distance.
• -- Preparation Events: The organization hosts a beginner's course trial run on April 26 led by Takahiro Kurihara, and a "Bear Safety & Trail Safety" seminar on May 3 at the Under Armour HQ in Ariake.

Regional Context and Demographics:

• -- Location: Sugadaira Highlands (Sugadaira Kogen) is often called the "Davos of Japan." It is a high-altitude plateau in Ueda City, Nagano, famous as a training ground for rugby and marathon athletes due to its 1,300m+ base elevation.
• -- Ueda City Population: Approximately 152,000 residents.
• -- Geography: The race course traverses terrains ranging from 1,500m to over 2,000m. Mt. Nekodake (2,207m) provides runners with panoramic views of the Northern Alps and the surrounding Shinshu mountains.
• -- Climate: In late May, Sugadaira experiences cool, high-altitude spring weather. While temperatures in Ueda City might reach 25°C, the summit of Mt. Nekodake can be significantly colder and wind-exposed, requiring participants to carry appropriate mountain gear.
• -- Economic Setting: Sugadaira is a major sports tourism hub, boasting over 100 rugby pitches and numerous ski resorts. The local economy revolves around sports clinics, outdoor events, and high-altitude training camps.

The Skyline Trail Sugadaira 2026 offers an authentic skyrunning experience, combining technical high-altitude trails with the vibrant athlete culture of Nagano's most famous training highland.