7. Izu Trail Journey 70k Finisher's Report 2025

Morning activities, mountain pass runs, slowing down, and adjustments. The starting line I stood on after going through it all.

How many minutes until the checkpoint?
The word DNF crossed my mind many times.

Even so, it was a day where I kept moving forward.

Introduction

I was able to successfully finish
Izu Trail Journey (ITJ) 70k,
which was my goal for this year.

Since it's a popular race, I entered prepared for the possibility of not being selected.
Thankfully, I was chosen,
and this was only my second trail running race.

Along with the joy of being able to participate in such a prestigious event,
I felt I couldn't approach it lightly,
so I piled on morning activities, mountain pass runs, and long runs.

ITJ for someone who focuses on mountains

As someone who focuses on mountain hiking,
I can walk for a long time, but I'm not good at running.

I was passed one after another on the forest roads,
and once I entered the mountains, I couldn't move as I wanted due to congestion.

From the beginning, it was quite a tough situation.

Just as I had expected,
the race was a 'battle against the checkpoints' from start to finish.

Starting in Block C,
I was blocked by congestion and couldn't make up time in the first half,
passing Kogane Bridge 5 minutes before the checkpoint.

From here on,
I was constantly conscious of the time,
and a situation continued where I wouldn't make it unless I ran where I could.

A series of close calls at checkpoints

At Nishi Pass, I was 9 minutes before the checkpoint.
At Toi, I was also 9 minutes before the checkpoint.

At the final Darumayama Kogen Rest House,
I had about 20 minutes to spare,
but I couldn't help but ask the staff,

'What's the next checkpoint?'

I asked that,
which shows that my anxiety hadn't disappeared.

'You've made it this far, so you'll be fine since there's only 10km left.'

I was told that, but
for someone like me who isn't good at running,
that 10km stretch was my biggest worry.

Even so, my body kept moving until the end,
and despite being passed, I reached the finish line safely.

The moment I crossed the finish line,
I felt truly relieved.

A memorable moment

In the final stages, when I reached the ridgeline,
the fog suddenly cleared, and I saw Mount Fuji.

I couldn't help but smile,
and the tension I had been holding onto eased a little.

Because the difficult times had continued for so long,
it remains strongly etched in my memory even now.

Looking back at the flow of the race

With gratitude

The ITJ was
a truly wonderful opportunity for me.

To everyone who participated in the event with me,
to those who supported me so I could focus on the race
even though it was my first time,
and to everyone who cheered me on.

And,
thanks to everyone who managed the event,
I was able to finish safely.

Thank you, truly, thank you so much.

Running, walking, and continuing on

Recently, I have been participating in marathons and trail runs,
but both are profound,
and I feel there is no single right answer.

Both marathons and trail running
served as a good base-up for hiking in the mountains.

While I think it would be nice to participate again if the opportunity arises,
from now on,
I want to continue enjoying the mountains as my main focus.

ITJ 70k Data Summary

• Distance: 68.5km

• Cumulative Elevation Gain: +3,238m / -3,149m

• Start: Matsuzaki New Port (Matsuzaki Town, Shizuoka Prefecture) 6:00

• Finish: Shuzenji Onsen (Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture)

• Time Limit: 14 hours (6:00 - 20:00)

• Aid Stations: 3 locations

• ITRA Points: 3

• Finishing Rate: 57.3% (C Block: approx. 27%)

Record

• Start: 6:04:49 (Rank 937)

• C1 Hozoin: 9.7km / 7:42:27 (875th place)

• A1 Koganebashi: 26.0km / 10:30:01 (904th place)

• A2 Nishina Pass: 40.2km / 14:21:04 (887th place)

• A3 Toi Parking Lot: 51.2km / 16:41:35 (752nd place)

• Finish: 68.5km / 19:29:13 (687th place)

Total Time: 13:25:13

Conclusion

This finish was not
a special day, but rather
an extension of my usual morning routine.

▶ Read the summary of my training flow

▶ Click here for Practical Training (TTT)

▶ Click here for this month's summary

Focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka,
I walk the ridgelines every weekend.

Rather than flashy mountains,
I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and hikes where I can read the conditions.

Click here for my past hiking records
▶ Magazine "One Mountain at a Time, Hiking Records"

I have compiled long courses you can walk in Shizuoka
▶︎ "Hiking in Shizuoka Prefecture | Long Course Edition"

If you like mountains,
I would be happy if you followed me.

Until next time, with a record of another mountain.