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UTMF IS BACK, IN THE SEASON OF CHERRY

BLOSSOMS AND TO ULTRA-TRAIL WORLD TOUR

2,400 runners are registered in UTMF (168km) or STY (92km) on April 27-29

April 12, 2018

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. 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. 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 our

absence last year.

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Back to springtime with new point-to-point course

You may remember that ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI was heavily hit by typhoon, and changed course in 2015

and canceled in 2016. As a result of these experience, we decided to move back to the last weekend

of April again. Let's go back to our short history. Our inaugural edition in 2012 was held in May, but May

is crucial season for nesting of wild birds in Mt. Fuji area. With respect for them, we have moved to April

next year. However, what we found is that it could be extremely difficult for both participants and

volunteers to keep working on the course in such low temperature in April. For this reason the event

changed its date to September in 2015. After tough experience in 2015 and 2016, the race committee

decided to come back to April 2018, considering all experience in previous editions.

Another decision is to change the course of UTMF 168km from one loop around Mt. Fuji to point-to-

point. We believe that make-up of start and finish at Kawaguchiko makes UTMF special. However, we

should admit some parts of trails around Mt. Fuji are vulnerable to load of more than 1,000 runners on the

day of race. With results of environmental survey after previous editions and discussion with local

authorities, we determined to avoid those vulnerable parts from our course. In 2018 edition, both UTMF

and STY start from Kodomo-no-Kuni (Shizuoka) and finish at Kawaguchiko (Yamanashi) in clockwise

direction. UTMF will include additional loop to Yamanakako, the east side of Mt. Fuji.

ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI will set this year's event as its regular format, springtime and point-to-point, for

future events.

Entertainment for runners and spectators with local’s favorite food

ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI is not only the competition, but also the festival of trail running. We welcome

participants, their families, and spectators from the world with nature of Mt. Fuji and events at Kodomo-

no-Kuni and Kawaguchiko. “UTMF EXPO” is the biggest trail running exhibition with 35 booths of our

official partners, other sports brands and local business. EXPO will open from 1pm, Thursday, April 26 at

Kawaguchiko. Kodomo-no-Kuni will also have EXPO on the day of start, Friday, April 27. “Marche” is the

area for food, drink, and local products in Mt. Fuji area, both in Kodomo-no-Kuni and Kawaguchiko. From

the evening of Friday, April 27, just before finish of the first STY finisher, “Midnight Bar @

Kawaguchiko” will serve warm food and drink to those who wait finishers during all through the night.

One more news is our new theme song composed by Dr. Ricka Fukuda, vice race director,

medical doctor and professional musician. This song features spirit of trail running and Mt. Fuji, and

will be presented before start of STY at noon of Friday, April 27.

Live update and contents on internet

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Our event is open to all fans and spectators with online services. You can follow progress of all

participants, as well as leaders of UTMF and STY, during their run to Kawaguchiko with LiveTrail and

Runners Update. Live streaming video program, "UTMF Live Show" will cover faces of runners, voice

of spectators and volunteers, and festivity of Kodomo-no-Kuni and Kawaguchiko, from start of the race to

award ceremony. This fifty hour live program will begin at 11:30 AM on Friday, April 27. Please follow our

Facebook page as well, and it will post photos and news from field to keep you updated.

Health Policy for sound progress of our sport

ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI has set new Health Policy as Section 15 in rules of race and regulations, to

comply with guidelines of Ultra-Trail World Tour and International Trail Running Association (ITRA). We

are the first event in Japan with it to contribute health of athletes and our community.

With Health Policy, We adapt "QUARTZ Program", series of medical process to control participants with

the purpose of protect general health of them, as well as anti-doping. In this program, participants might

be asked to show their medical history, usage of medicine and therapeutical usage exemption, and

requested to provide sample of urine and blood, etc. Although we strongly advice all participants to

understand this new Section 15, please note that we will never apply any sanctions with it (e.g.

cancellation of registration or results) in our 2018 edition.

Please also note that our Health Policy do not substitute Section 12 of our rules of race and regulations,

which prohibit doping even if no intent.

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CONTACT Masako Suzuki, ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI Race Committee

c/o Sotoe Co. Ltd. 75 Shuzenji, PJ-01, Izu, Shizuoka, 410-2416, Japan Phone: +81-558-99-9118 Fax: +81-558-72-8466

E-mail︓press@ultratrailmtfuji.com http://www.ultratrailmtfuji.com

* Please contact us by Thursday, April 19, for press registration if you cover ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI 2018 on site. * Previous press releases are available at:

https://www.ultratrailmtfuji.com/press/release/ * Official photos solely for editorial use are also available. Please contact and ask for ID and passcode to download.

https://www.ultratrailmtfuji.com/press/gallery/

Outline of ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI 2018 • UTMF (ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI)

• Distance 168km, Vertical gain approximately 8,100ｍ • Start at 15:00, 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, Friday, April 27, 2018 • Cut-off: 20 hours • Number of participants: 1,000

• Both UTMF and STY start from Fujisan-Kodomo-no-kuni Park (Fuji, Shizuoka) • Both UTMF and STY finish at Oike-koen Park (Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi) • Member of International Trail Running Association (ITRA) • Founding member of Ultra-Trail World Tour (UTWT)

Schedule of ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI 2018 Pre-race press conference is set at 17:00 of Thursday, April 26, with elite athletes. From 10:30 of Sunday,April 29, we will have post-race press conference with top three male and female athletes of UTMF. Press Center will be set up at Room Fujisan on 5th floor of Hotel Shikinoyado, in Fujikawaguchiko. ● Thursday, April 26 12:00 - 20:00 UTMF & STY Mandatory gear check Tokinosumika, Gotemba 13:00 - 22:30 UTMF & STY Runner check-in Ohike Kouen, Fujikawaguchiko 15:00 Opening of Press Center 17:00 - 18:00 Pre-race press conference Press Center ● Friday, April 27 8:00 - 11:00 STY Runner check-in Fujisan Kodomo-no-Kuni 8:00 - 14:00 UTMF Runnercheck-in Fujisan Kodomo-no-Kuni 11:30 STY start ceremony Fujisan Kodomo-no-Kuni 12:00 Start of STY Fujisan Kodomo-no-Kuni 14:30 UTMF start ceremony Fujisan Kodomo-no-Kuni 15:00 Start of UTMF Fujisan Kodomo-no-Kuni 21:00 First finish of STY (estimated) Ohike Kouen, Fujikawaguchiko ●Saturday, April 28 7:30 STY Award Ceremony Ohike Kouen, Fujikawaguchiko 8:00 Cut-off of STY Ohike Kouen, Fujikawaguchiko 11:00 First finish of UTMF (estimated) Ohike Kouen, Fujikawaguchiko ●Sunday, April 29 10:30 - 11:30 Post-race press conference Press Center 12:30 UTMF Award Ceremony Ohike Kouen, Fujikawaguchiko 13:00 Cut-off of UTMF Ohike Kouen, Fujikawaguchiko 15:00 Closure of Press Center ※＝⽇本語/英語対応