The Lake Saroma 100km Ultra Marathon The Lake Saroma 100km Ultra Marathon The Lake Saroma 100km Ultra Marathon
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Date Date Date June 28, 2015 June 28, 2015 June 28, 2015 Location Location Location Hokkaido Hokkaido Hokkaido Web Site Web Site Web Site http://saromanblue.jp/ http://saromanblue.jp/ http://saromanblue.jp/ Athletic event Athletic event Athletic event 50 km, 100 km 50 km, 100 km 50 km, 100 km Number of participants Number of participants Number of participants 50 km: 455 100 km: 2,721 (2015 edition) 50 km: 455 100 km: 2,721 (2015 edition) 50 km: 455 100 km: 2,721 (2015 edition) Japan’s premier ultramarathon, the Lake Saroma 100 km celebrated its 30th year in 2015. With a gorgeous course around Lake Saroma and the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk between the north coast towns of Yubetsu and Tokoro on Japan’s northernmost major island of Hokkaido, its incredible scenery, prestige and warm local support bring thousands of runners of every level to the area each year.
As a JAAF and AIMS-certified course, the Lake Saroma 100 km is the race of choice for most of Japan’s elite ultramarathoners. The men’s and women’s world records for 100 km were both set at Lake Saroma, Japan’s Takahiro Sunada running 6:13:33 in 1998 and Tomoe Abe following up two years later with a stunning 6:33:11 women’s record. Even two-time Olympic marathon medalist Erick Wainaina, a longtime resident of Japan, set the Kenyan national record for 100 km at Lake Saroma. The prestige brought by these records and the 100 km course’s certification mean that the race typically serves as the selection event for the Japanese national team for the IAU World Championships, but despite its stellar reputation at the elite level it is not just an elite race.
Every year thousands of amateur runners from across Japan, almost 3000 in 2015, take advantage of the nearly flat course, the cool temperatures the race’s location offers in the midst of Japan’s summer heat and its generous 13-hour cutoff time to try their hand at this challenging distance. Hundreds more opt for the 50 km division, starting in the town of Saroma before joining the 100 km course midway for a finish in Tokoro. The many repeaters enjoy special recognition and rewards, those finishing the 100 km 10 or more times receiving the “Saroman Blue” title and the few who finish 20 or more times being named to the prestigious “Grand Blue” circle.
It’s easy to understand what keeps them coming back. Not just the one-of-a-kind coastal scenery throughout the race, not just the comfortable weather, but the tremendous support and encouragement from local residents delighted to welcome runners to their communities makes the Lake Saroma 100 km Ultramarathon more than just another race. And don’t forget the fresh, healthy and delicious seafood and other local delicacies available in abundance. Less than two hours from Tokyo by plane and a short train, bus or car trip from a variety of nearby airports, and with plenty of comfortable accommodations nearby, the Lake Saroma 100 km Ultramarathon is an ideal destination race for international runners who have always wanted to try a race in Japan.
Japan’s premier ultramarathon, the Lake Saroma 100 km celebrated its 30th year in 2015. With a gorgeous course around Lake Saroma and the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk between the north coast towns of Yubetsu and Tokoro on Japan’s northernmost major island of Hokkaido, its incredible scenery, prestige and warm local support bring thousands of runners of every level to the area each year.
As a JAAF and AIMS-certified course, the Lake Saroma 100 km is the race of choice for most of Japan’s elite ultramarathoners. The men’s and women’s world records for 100 km were both set at Lake Saroma, Japan’s Takahiro Sunada running 6:13:33 in 1998 and Tomoe Abe following up two years later with a stunning 6:33:11 women’s record. Even two-time Olympic marathon medalist Erick Wainaina, a longtime resident of Japan, set the Kenyan national record for 100 km at Lake Saroma. The prestige brought by these records and the 100 km course’s certification mean that the race typically serves as the selection event for the Japanese national team for the IAU World Championships, but despite its stellar reputation at the elite level it is not just an elite race.
Every year thousands of amateur runners from across Japan, almost 3000 in 2015, take advantage of the nearly flat course, the cool temperatures the race’s location offers in the midst of Japan’s summer heat and its generous 13-hour cutoff time to try their hand at this challenging distance. Hundreds more opt for the 50 km division, starting in the town of Saroma before joining the 100 km course midway for a finish in Tokoro. The many repeaters enjoy special recognition and rewards, those finishing the 100 km 10 or more times receiving the “Saroman Blue” title and the few who finish 20 or more times being named to the prestigious “Grand Blue” circle.
It’s easy to understand what keeps them coming back. Not just the one-of-a-kind coastal scenery throughout the race, not just the comfortable weather, but the tremendous support and encouragement from local residents delighted to welcome runners to their communities makes the Lake Saroma 100 km Ultramarathon more than just another race. And don’t forget the fresh, healthy and delicious seafood and other local delicacies available in abundance. Less than two hours from Tokyo by plane and a short train, bus or car trip from a variety of nearby airports, and with plenty of comfortable accommodations nearby, the Lake Saroma 100 km Ultramarathon is an ideal destination race for international runners who have always wanted to try a race in Japan.
Japan’s premier ultramarathon, the Lake Saroma 100 km celebrated its 30th year in 2015. With a gorgeous course around Lake Saroma and the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk between the north coast towns of Yubetsu and Tokoro on Japan’s northernmost major island of Hokkaido, its incredible scenery, prestige and warm local support bring thousands of runners of every level to the area each year.
As a JAAF and AIMS-certified course, the Lake Saroma 100 km is the race of choice for most of Japan’s elite ultramarathoners. The men’s and women’s world records for 100 km were both set at Lake Saroma, Japan’s Takahiro Sunada running 6:13:33 in 1998 and Tomoe Abe following up two years later with a stunning 6:33:11 women’s record. Even two-time Olympic marathon medalist Erick Wainaina, a longtime resident of Japan, set the Kenyan national record for 100 km at Lake Saroma. The prestige brought by these records and the 100 km course’s certification mean that the race typically serves as the selection event for the Japanese national team for the IAU World Championships, but despite its stellar reputation at the elite level it is not just an elite race.
Every year thousands of amateur runners from across Japan, almost 3000 in 2015, take advantage of the nearly flat course, the cool temperatures the race’s location offers in the midst of Japan’s summer heat and its generous 13-hour cutoff time to try their hand at this challenging distance. Hundreds more opt for the 50 km division, starting in the town of Saroma before joining the 100 km course midway for a finish in Tokoro. The many repeaters enjoy special recognition and rewards, those finishing the 100 km 10 or more times receiving the “Saroman Blue” title and the few who finish 20 or more times being named to the prestigious “Grand Blue” circle.
It’s easy to understand what keeps them coming back. Not just the one-of-a-kind coastal scenery throughout the race, not just the comfortable weather, but the tremendous support and encouragement from local residents delighted to welcome runners to their communities makes the Lake Saroma 100 km Ultramarathon more than just another race. And don’t forget the fresh, healthy and delicious seafood and other local delicacies available in abundance. Less than two hours from Tokyo by plane and a short train, bus or car trip from a variety of nearby airports, and with plenty of comfortable accommodations nearby, the Lake Saroma 100 km Ultramarathon is an ideal destination race for international runners who have always wanted to try a race in Japan.
