NORTH ONTAKE MARATHON 2025, one of the highest altitude marathons in Japan, will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025 in Hida-Osaka, Gifu Prefecture. The two events, ULTRA 111km and FULL 42.195km, will provide an extreme challenge.
This year’s event, which attracted much attention when it was held for the first time last year, will be updated in 2025 with new course content and experience value. The event will be reborn as a competition that will further stimulate the runners’ spirit of challenge.
The entry deadline is Thursday, July 31. Entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so please register as soon as possible.

Course Outline
This marathon is set in the magnificent nature of Mt.Ontake.
The ULTRA 111km course will take you to the Ontake Panorama Line, the Ontake Nigorigo High Altitude Training Center, the Takahashi Naoko Boulder Road, and the Suzuran Plateau, all at altitudes of over 1,000 m. The FULL 42.195km course will also take you through a tough mountainous terrain while enjoying spectacular views. The FULL 42.195km course is also a tough mountain run with spectacular views. Both courses will be a great challenge for runners.

■Maximum elevation gain
ULTRA&FULL…approx. 1,300m

 

The evolved ULTRA course is “superb” in terms of distance and scenery!

The ULTRA course in 2025 will be upgraded to 111 km in length. In addition to the Ontake Nigorigo High Altitude Training Center, the course will pass through Hiwadakogen Highland, another high-altitude training site. As a result, the cumulative elevation gain is approximately 2,900m, and the course has evolved into a grueling course that truly lives up to its “Mountain Ultra” name.
The time limit has also been increased from last year’s 14 hours to 15 hours. The course has been set up so that more runners can reach the excitement of finishing the race, where challenge and accomplishment coexist.

Charge your body with power that comes from underground!

As a new attempt, a “highly concentrated natural carbon dioxide spring,” which is rare in Japan, has been added to the checkpoint. The natural carbon dioxide spring nurtured by the earth of Mt. Ontake will refresh your body and mind. This is a new experience where you can feel a sense of oneness with nature and be empowered from the inside out.

Taste the blessings brought by Mt. Ontake

As a feature of the event, designated rest spots will provide supplies and meals that make the most of local specialties. Runners can also bathe in local hot springs (Nigorigo Onsen Municipal Open-air Bath, Ontake Nigorigo High Altitude Training Center, and Himeishaga no Yu).

ULTRA has established the “U30 Discount” program for runners under 30 years of age!

We want more young people to experience the appeal and challenge of the Highlands Marathon, so we have established the “U30 Discount” program for runners under 30 years old. (*Limited to the first 15 runners in each category who are 30 years old or younger on the race day).

A new early-morning shuttle service from Gero Station to the start venue has been established! No need to worry about transportation on the day of the event!

On the day of the event, a free shuttle bus will be provided from Gero Station to the start venue (Kiko-chan Stadium), with a schedule that matches the start times of both ULTRA and FULL events, allowing participants from far away to get there without worries. Please make use of this service to stay overnight in Gero Onsen (Gero Hot Springs) the day before the race, or for sightseeing the following day.

Pick-up and drop-off times (tentative)
■ULTRA (111km) Start: 4:00
Depart Gero Station 2:20 → Lawson Osaka-cho 2:50 → Osaka Junior High School 3:00 → Kiko-chan Stadium 3:05
■FULL (42.195km) Start: 6:00
Gero Station 4:20 → Lawson Osaka-cho 4:50 → Osaka Junior High School 5:00 → Kiko-chan Stadium 5:05

After the race, a shuttle service from the goal point “Kiko-chan Stadium” to Hida-Osaka Station will also be provided.
The boarding method and detailed departure time will be announced on the official website at a later date.

Entry Information
■ How to apply:
Sports Entry
https://www.sportsentry.ne.jp/event/t/99704

e-mosicom
https://moshicom.com/105472/

Tax payment at home
https://www.north-ontake.com/entry/

■Capacity: ULTRA 300, FULL 200
■Participation prize: Original T-shirt limited to the event

[Official website]
https://www.north-ontake.com/
[Official Instagram]
https://www.instagram.com/north.ontake/
[Official Facebook]
https://www.facebook.com/north.ontake/