GOLDWIN and The North Face will return as special sponsors for the Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji and Shizuoka to Yamanashi from April 26 to 28.
GOLDWIN Inc. (HQ: Shibuya, Tokyo / President: Akio Nishida / First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange: 8111) and The North Face are pleased to announce that they will be special sponsors for the Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji (UTMF) and Shizuoka to Yamashina (STY).
UTMF, a 161.0 km race around the perimeter of Mt. Fuji, and Shizuoka To Yamanashi (STY), an 84.7 km race covering half of the perimeter, are the biggest trail-running events in Japan. Held for the second time this year, the two races aim to convey the importance of rising to a challenge, as well as the joy of trail running and the beauty of Mt. Fuji, the pride of Japan.
A total of 2,209 athletes participated in the first UTMF, held between May 18 to 20 last year.
In keeping with its slogan, “Sports first,” GOLDWIN is committed to promoting a healthy and fun-filled lifestyle. We believe the UTMF embodies the very principles that the company embraces. More than 70 of GOLDWIN’s employees will join the many on-site support staff who will assist the athletes.
GOLDWIN staff will return to the event as volunteers and will use this opportunity to put “SPORTS FIRST” into practice.
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■GOLDWIN/The North Face Booth
The GOLDWIN and The North Face will have a booth at the event venue (Yakizaki Park in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi), where a wide range of items, such trail running wear, goods, and shoes from The North Face and C3fit compression underwear, will be on display and available for sale. The UTMF original novelty goods will also be available.
■Sponsored awards:
Participant’s Award: The North Face original high-performance T-shirt (fabric: Fieldsensor)
UTMF Race Finisher’s Award: The North Face original runner’s vest (fabric: GORE-TEX windstopper)
STF Race Finisher’s Award: The North Face original runner’s vest (fabric: Pertex)
Staffwear: The North Face original jacket (fabric: Pertex)
■GOLDWIN staff will participate as volunteers in the following tasks:
1) Route guide
Guiding runners on mountainous routes
2) Registration and aid stations support:
Registering athletes (checking equipment) at start points for the UTMF (Yakizaki Koen) and the STY (Fujisan Kodomo no Kuni), and checking equipment and providing other support at aid stations.
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Race Mission
This unprecedented long distance trail run around Mt. Fuji, Japan’s most famous and symbolic mountain, aims to promote the splendor and richness of the region’s unique natural environment to people both within and outside Japan.
Self-Exploration
This race is not about competing against others. The object of this extraordinary 161km journey around Mt. Fuji is to challenge and explore your physical and mental limits to discover new possibilities within yourself.
Respect For Nature
People have gradually started to lose connection to nature. This race aims to renew this connection and cultivate respect towards the natural environment through the outdoor sport of trail running.
Sharing the Trails
These trails have been created over many years by the people who live, work and enjoy the mountains. This race aims to foster a mutual respect and understanding between these different users and help communicate and promote the sharing of these trails.
Race Organizer ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI Race Committee
The Race Committee consists of the Fyuji Trail Runners Club (Non-Profit Organization), Fujikawaguchiko Town, Narusawa Village, Fujinomiya City, Fuji City, Susono City, Gotemba City, Oyama City, Yamanakako Village, Oshino Village, Fujiyoshida City
Special Sponsors
GOLDWIN INC. (THE NORTHFACE), W.L. Gore & Associates
Backed by
Embassy of France in Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Tourism Agency, Yamanashi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, The Yamanashi Nichi Nichi Shimbun/Yamanashi Broadcasting System, The Shizuoka Shimbun/Shizuoka Broadcasting System, The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
Dates Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28, 2013 (3 days)
UTMF (ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI)
Number of Participants 1,074 racers (207 from overseas)
Distance: 161km / Cumulative altitude gain: 9,164meters
Time limit: 46 hrs
Start/Finish: Yagisaki Koen(Park), Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture
Starts on Friday, April 26th at 15:00
STY (Shizuoka to Yamanashi)
Number of Participants 1,053 (62 from overseas)
Distance: 84.7 km / Cumulative altitude gain 4,860m
Time limit: 24 hrs
Start: Mount Fuji Kodomo-no-Kuni, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Finish: Yagisaki Koen (Park), Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture
Starts on Friday, April 26th at 13:00
Official Website: http://www.ultratrailmtfuji.com/
*Photos courtesy of UTMF Headquarters
