5th Gozuzan Mountain Race to Climb 700m in Agano, Niigata on September 22, 2026

The 5th Gozuzan Mountain Race (第5回五頭登山競走) is set to take place on September 22, 2026 in Agano City, Niigata Prefecture. Organized by the Gozuzan Skyrunning Executive Committee, the event is a vertical race covering 4.4 km with 700 m of elevation gain, starting from Okumurasugi Campsite and ascending to 五ノ峰山頂 (the summit of 五ノ峰) on Mt. Gozuzan (五頭山).

The race is sanctioned by the Japan Skyrunning Association (JSA) as Round 5 of the V GAMES JAPAN series, drawing competitive skyrunners from across the country.

About the Race

The Gozuzan Mountain Race was launched in 2022 with the goal of promoting Agano City and sharing the appeal of Mt. Gozuzan with a wider audience. Set amid the rich natural surroundings and local culture of the Gozuzan Onsen area, the event uses skyrunning as a way for participants to experience the region firsthand. It has grown in scale each year since its founding.

The organizers place emphasis on three pillars — participating, watching, and supporting — ensuring that runners, local residents cheering from the sidelines, and staff and sponsors alike all feel a sense of pride and enjoyment in the event.

V GAMES JAPAN Series

V GAMES JAPAN is the official domestic skyrunning series organized by the Japan Skyrunning Association (JSA). Focused primarily on vertical races — events that climb steep mountain terrain in a single push — the series awards points across competitions held throughout Japan. The Gozuzan Mountain Race serves as Round 5, a key event in the latter half of the annual series.

Entry Information

Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis, with a cap of 150 participants across all categories. Entry is open to healthy participants who are middle school age or older and capable of descending the mountain independently.