Mount Fuji100 Mt. FUJI 100 The 10th annual Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji (formerly known as the Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji) will be held on Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th. 3,400 athletes will participate in two races: the "FUJI100mi," a 166.6km race through the mountains, forests, and towns at the foot of Mount Fuji, with a cumulative elevation gain of 7,039m, and the "KAI70k," the latter half of the course, covering a distance of 69.4km with a cumulative elevation gain of 3,493m. Of these, 450 will be from overseas, making this an international event with athletes from 34 countries and regions around the world.

On the afternoon of Thursday, April 25th, just 12 hours before the start of the FUJI 100mi, a presentation was held at Fuji Hokuroku Park/Mt. Fuji Meisui Stadium, inviting the top athletes to the race. Here are some comments from each athlete.

Runner-up in the 100-mile race at this event in 2022Ryo Doi Takashi Doi"This will be my sixth time participating in the race. People around me told me to talk about big goals, but I just want to run my usual way."

He placed 10th in this tournament in 2018.Deng Guomin Guomin Deng (CHN): "It's been six years since I last ran Mount Fuji, and I think I've grown as a person. I'll do my best to achieve good results."

2014 Western States ChampionStephanie Hou Stephanie Howe (USA): "I'm looking forward to experiencing Japanese culture and interacting with the local people through the Mount Fuji 100. Of course, I'm also looking forward to running while enjoying the beautiful view of Mount Fuji."

Second place in this tournament last yearYuya Kawasaki Yuya Kawasaki"I hope to be able to race my own race while keeping an eye on my physical condition, running hard when I need to run, and enduring hard when I need to."

He lives in Hong Kong and placed 5th in the 2018 STY.John Ray Onifa John Ray “Stingley” Onifa(PHI): "I want to stay strong and keep going in this race. Of course, I also want to enjoy the amazing views of Mt. Fuji during the day."

He won last year's KAI70k.Tamura Kento Kento Tamura"This is my first time running 100 miles, and honestly I don't know what's going to happen. I want to face myself on the course and make it to the finish line."

The men's favorite to win the KAI70kGoji Nagata Goshi Osada"My goal is to win. I want to race aggressively with the goal of achieving world-class results."

Winner of the 2022 Transgrancanaria ClassicAndreu Simon Andreu Simon Aymerich (ESP): "It's been my dream to come to Japan. I was planning to run 100 miles, but due to a knee injury I changed it to 70km, but I'm going to do my best."

3rd place in last year's FUJI 100 MileChizuru Obuchi Chizuru Ofuchi"I want to enjoy the race as always. My only rival is myself."

2nd place at the 2023 Bandera 100kNicole Bitter Nicole Bitter (USA): "When I run an ultra-trail race, the most important thing is to have fun. I look forward to new experiences. This time, I'm going to enjoy running while looking at Mt. Fuji."

He was the 2018 UTMF champion and won the Western States, Hardrock 100, and UTMB in 2023.Courtney DeWalter Courtney Dauwalter(USA): "I had a great experience at Mount Fuji in 2018, and ever since then I've wanted to come back here again. This time, I'm going to give it my all until the very end, and celebrate the event with everyone at the finish line."

Currently on a five-time consecutive victory in the Mount Fuji climbing raceYuri Yoshizumi Yuri yoshizumi"I discovered trail running and when I became an independent professional athlete, I moved to Fujiyoshida in search of a better training environment. I'm happy to be able to run in a race in a place I love."

As the venue for Japan's leading international trail running event, the areas surrounding Mount Fuji will welcome trail runners and their families from 34 countries and regions around the world, becoming the stage for the event's subtitle, "Emotional Discovery."