Kaga Spa Trail
- 20251609 finishers
Races
Kaga Spa Trail
Kaga hot springs country. One hundred five kilometers through Ishikawa forest ridges and coastal connectors.
65 mi+8,523 ft-8,589 ft26 hours152 ft to 448 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookNoto PeninsulaUTMB IndexWSER qualifierJune
Distance65 mi
Gain+8,523 ft
Loss-8,589 ft
Altitude152 ft to 448 ft
Technicality5/10
Air55°F to 85°F
- Start440 ft
- High448 ft
- Low152 ft
- Finish374 ft
Geometryderived
Steepest drop272 ft-2.3% over 2.3 mi
Night miles18 misunset near 19:00 local
The cruxHumid forest climbs on the Noto Peninsula ridgeline in June heat (near mile 42)
Course DNA
The Course
Kaga Spa Trail runs 105 km through Kaga, Japan. +8,523 ft gain and -8,589 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% forest trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Humid forest climbs on the Noto Peninsula ridgeline in June heat. High point near 448 ft. Low near 152 ft. June temps run 55°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 33.
The Work
Train for 8,523 feet of climbing across 105 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 26 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 42.
Kit
June in Kaga, Japan: plan for 55°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 26 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% forest trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 33.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 33. Humid forest climbs on the Noto Peninsula ridgeline in June heat near mile 42 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 22 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Kaga Spa Trail finish lines.
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