When I first started running marathon races, the Fuji Mountain Race was the ultimate goal.
Fujiyoshida city officials say that
“The Fuji Mountain Race is a rigorous, physical and mental challenge and is often considered the most difficult climbing race in Japan.”
Participants are required to run up from the mountain completing an elevation increase of over 3,000m within 4.5 hours. Checkpoints that runners must pass through in the allotted time limit, so only half of the original participants manage to finish the race every year.
The first part of the race, involves asphalt and a rough road for approximately one hour. After beginning the ascent up the mountain, the track becomes soil until the halfway point. Many runners have difficulty with the loose ground comprised of volcanic ash during the latter half of the race. Anyway, I like climbing up volcanic rock area. In the final stage of the race, many runners begin to suffer from the effects of high altitude.
Finally, In 2015, I completed this race on my fifth try.
