Races
Lake Biwa 100
Japan, October. 100 mi on 75% trail. +36,860 ft of climbing. 52 hours cutoff.
- Start1,086 ft
- High3,766 ft
- Low262 ft
- Finish266 ft
- Japan at mile 0.0
- Lake Biwa 100 mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 10.4 hours
- Lake Biwa 100 mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 20.8 hours
- Lake Biwa 100 mile 60 at mile 60, cutoff 31.2 hours
- Lake Biwa 100 mile 80 at mile 80, cutoff 41.6 hours
- Finish Japan at mile 100, cutoff 52 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxHumid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Lake Biwa 100 runs 100 mi through Japan. +36,860 ft gain and -37,680 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Humid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain. High point near 3,944 ft. Low near 233 ft. October temps run 50°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 36,860 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 52 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 65.
Kit
October in Japan: plan for 50°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 52 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Humid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain near mile 65 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 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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