62nd Kitasho Road Race 2026 - Event Guidelines

Friday, May 1, 2026

Hokushō Road Race (Hokuryū Town, Hokkaido): Run through the sunflower field!
Hokushō Road Race (Hokuryū Town, Hokkaido): Run through the sunflower field!

62nd Kitasho Road Race 2026

Thanks to everyone's warm support and cooperation, we are able to hold this tournament for the 62nd time.
This year's event will be held as follows, and we hope you will participate.
Why not take a refreshing ride while enjoying the clean scenery of Hokuryu Town, the "town of sunflowers" with the sun on your side?

Hokuryu Town Sports Association Chairman, Hikaru Tanimoto

62nd Kitasho Road Race 2026 - Event Guidelines

1. Organizer

Hokuryu Town Sports Association (Chairman: Hikaru Tanimoto)

2. Sponsorship

3. Date and time of event

July 20, 2026 (National Holiday) - Event will be held rain or shine.
* The event will proceed rain or shine, but the organizer may cancel the event at their discretion in the event of earthquakes, wind and flood damage, accidents, etc. Please refer to the attached notes for details on how to proceed in such cases.

  • reception: 06:30 - 08:00
  • Opening Ceremony:08:20
  • start: 09:00 (10km/5km)
    09:10 (3km/2km pair)

4. Venue

  • reception: Hokuryu Town Sunflower Village Tourist Center
  • course: Hokuryu Town Himawari no Sato and surrounding areas
  • 5. Terms and Conditions for Participating in the Tournament and Important Notes

    *Please be sure to read the guidelines and the attached pledges and notes.

    6. Events

    • 10 km:General men and women (high school students and above)
    • 5 km:General men and women (high school students and above)
      Junior high school boys and girls (parental consent required)
    • 3 km:General men and women (junior high school students and above)
      Elementary school students, regardless of gender or grade level (parental consent required)
    • 2 km Parent-child pair (parents and grandparents)
      *Children must be in the third grade or younger
      * Pair participants must hold hands when reaching the finish line.

    * If you wish to change your event after registering, please contact "13. Contact Information" within the period specified in "10. Registration Period".
    Please note that applications will not be accepted after the application period has ended.

    7. Participation fee/Number of participants

    • General public (high school students and above)3,500 yen
    • 2km pair.. 4,000 yen
    • Elementary and junior high school students ......1,500 yen

      * The total capacity for all events except the "2km pair" is expected to be around 300 people, and registration will close once the capacity is reached.
      *Participation fees will not be refunded in the event of cancellation or non-participation after application (except for applications due to capacity).

    8. Time limit: 2 hours 00 minutes (from the starting gun)

    * Competitors who exceed the time limit may be asked to stop the race. In that case, please follow the instructions of the race staff and get back in your car.

    9. How to apply

    * In addition to the participation fee, a separate entry fee will be charged.

    10. Application Period

    • 令和8年5月1日(金)から令和8年6月1日(月)まで

    * Applications will not be accepted outside the application period stated above.
    *After the application period ends, a reception slip will be mailed to all participants.
    If you do not receive it by Saturday, June 20th, please contact the office.

    11. Award

    • Top 6 in each event(Prizes include: 5kg to 10kg of rice produced in Hokuryu Town, etc.)
    • Awards will be given to the top three finishers in the elementary and junior high school division.

    12. Participation Prize

    • Commemorative T-shirt presented
    • Elementary and junior high school students (regardless of the event they participate in) and elementary school parent-child pairs will receive book vouchers.
    • Finisher's certificate
    • Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen Hot Spring Bathing Ticket
    • Sunflower melons are served after the finish line.

    * It will be enclosed with your race number.
    * A "record list" will be posted after the competition is over.

    13. Contact Information

    • Inquiries regarding applications(Inquiry reception hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
      Sports Entry: 0570-039-846
    • For any other questions(Inquiry reception hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
      (Kita-ryu Town Hall) Kita-sho Road Race Tournament Secretariat: 0164-34-7034

    14. Others

    • Please make your own arrangements for transportation, accommodation, etc.
      * Accommodation facilities in Hokuryu Town:Sunflower Park Hotel(Tel: 0164-34-3321)
    • Parking fee: Standard vehicle: 500 yen
      Motorcycles: 100 yen
      Large buses and campers (over 6m)... 2,000 yen
      (Free for Hokuryu residents)

    Automatic measurement

    • Measurements are taken using a timing chip. The chip must be attached to your shoelaces.
    • In the parent-child pair division, the parent must wear the chip.
    • After finishing the race, chip collection boxes will be placed near the finish line and the scoreboard. Please be sure to place your chip in the collection box after completing the race. In the event of loss or failure to return your chip, you will be charged a fee of 1,000 yen to cover the actual cost.

     

    Tournament pledge

    I hereby pledge to strictly adhere to the following rules and regulations when participating in this tournament.

    1. Follow the rules and instructions set by the tournament organizer
    2. Any accidents that are my fault will be dealt with at my own risk (for high school students and younger, this will be handled by a guardian).
    3. The rights to publish, use, and portrait of the participants in any videos, photos, articles, records, etc. taken during the tournament for television, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, etc. belong to the organizer.
    4. No refunds will be given for participation fees after registration

    Tournament notes

    1. When applying, please fill in all the necessary information.
    2. If the organizer decides to cancel the event due to an earthquake, wind or flood damage, or an incident or accident, the participation prize will be distributed at the venue during the registration period. In addition, for applicants who are unable to participate on the day, the participation prize will be mailed.
    3. Participants must take care of their own health and enjoy the event without overexerting themselves. If you become injured or feel unwell during the event, please stop the event and inform a nearby inspector or water supply official.
    4. Please refrain from using the parking lot at the tournament venue for purposes other than parking.
    5. As the organizers, we will do our utmost to prevent accidents during the competition, but we ask that participants and supporters also follow traffic rules and cooperate to avoid accidents.
      Please be careful when driving as there may be tourists crossing the road during the Sunflower Festival.
    6. Escort runners are limited to those approved by the event organizers, such as those with physical or mental disabilities.
    7. Please refrain from any actions that violate public order and morals.

    End

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