calendar_today 03 May, 2026 – 04 May, 2026
directions_run Running
language Official Website
sell $18.85 – $100.00
The 2026 Ueda Vertical Race is a premier skyrunning event held annually in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. Established in 2014, the race honors a century-old tradition of mountain running on Mt. Taro (1,164m). As a sanctioned event by the Japan Skyrunning Association (JSA) and part of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, it attracts a diverse field of elite international athletes and local beginners alike. The event spans two days, featuring pure uphill climbs on day one and technical mountain racing on day two.
| Race Category | Course Specs | Target Group |
|---|---|---|
| Sasuke (Vertical) | 5.0km / +1000m | Junior high and above |
| Yukimura (Vertical) | 3.5km / +700m | Elementary and above |
| Ueda Skyrace® | 27km / ±3100m | World Series (Elite/Expert) |
| Taro (Sky) | 20km / ±2100m | High school and above |
| Ninja (Sky) | 3km / ±300m | Middle school students |
The geography of the course is centered on the Mt. Taro mountain range, which serves as a symbolic backdrop for Ueda City. The Vertical courses start at Oboshi Shrine and climb directly to the summit, providing steep, relentless gradients. The Skyrace is recognized as one of the most technical courses globally, involving narrow ridgelines and significant cumulative elevation change (±3100m over 27km). In early May, the Nagano region typically experiences mild spring weather with average daytime highs of 18°C (64°F), though mountain summits remain significantly cooler. Mandatory equipment, including windproof or waterproof jackets, is strictly enforced to manage these temperature fluctuations.
Logistically, the event is deeply integrated with the city center, with registration and award ceremonies held at Paleo and the Ueda Station Square. This setup allows participants easy access via the Hokuriku Shinkansen and encourages local tourism through a "sweets coupon" system for participants. The race capacity is limited to 700 people for the Vertical and 500 for the Sky categories. International athletes are required to check in at the dedicated international desk at Paleo to receive their bibs and race materials. The event also maintains a strong focus on environmental preservation, requiring participants to stay on marked trails and use designated restroom facilities within the Mt. Taro range.
Beyond the competition, the race fosters a global community. While the current 2026 data focuses on participation, historical skyrunning demographics often show a strong presence of athletes from Europe and Japan. In major international series like this, approximately 60-70% of the elite field typically hails from European nations (particularly Spain, Italy, and France), while the domestic Japanese field accounts for nearly 90% of the general participation entries. The inclusion of youth categories, such as the Ninja and Yukimura courses, is a strategic move to address the aging population in Japanese endurance sports, where the average participant age in trail events is often between 40 and 49 years old.
May 03, 2026
Distance — 3.5K
Type — Running
10:00
$18.85
May 03, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
10:30
$40.85
May 03, 2026
Distance — 3.5K
Type — Running
11:00
$35.00
May 04, 2026
Distance — 27K
Type — Running
08:00
$100.00
May 04, 2026
Distance — 20K
Type — Running
09:00
$69.00
May 04, 2026
Distance — 3K
Type — Running
10:00
$31.50
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Ueda.
Learn more about the host city, Ueda.
Ueda is a city in Nagano prefecture.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
Explore other exciting events happening in this same region.
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