The 9th JAL Mukou Tsugu Double Marathon was held (6/8)

A sporting event on a spectacular up-and-down course

On Sunday, June 8, 2025, the 9th JAL Mukou Tsugu Double Marathon was held in Nagato City. This marathon event welcomed JAL (Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.) as a special sponsor. Three courses were set up around the Yuya/Mukatsuku Peninsula in Nagato City: a "Double Marathon (approx. 84.39 km)," a "Single Marathon (approx. 30 km)," and a "Rice Terrace Walk (approx. 30 km)," each with severe ups and downs. The event has gained recognition as a "disgusting" sporting event due to its severity.

This year's guest was professional runner Daichi Jono, a graduate of Aoyama Gakuin University who is also known as the "third generation mountain god" for his dominating run in the 2015 Hakone Ekiden.

The start & finish will be at Aburaya Sports Park. The double marathon will start at 6:00 AM, the single marathon at 8:30 AM, and the terraced rice field walk at 9:00 AM. Before the start of each course, singer-songwriter Kinuyo sang "Tsuyoku," the theme song of the "JAL Mukouzugu Double Marathon," to encourage the runners.

The double marathon started simultaneously at 6:00!

Double Marathon & Single Marathon on the Road

Guest runner Jono entered the single marathon course. He enjoyed the run while cheering for the runners.

At each aid station, runners running the demanding course will be entertained by volunteer staff and children from the city. Runners can enjoy hydration, water rinsing, air salon pass blowing service, and local delicacies.

The section from Motonosumi Shrine to Senjidashiki is a "strenuous slope section. From this point, you will be plunged further up and down the slope.

The smiling faces of the runners who had completed the "strenuous hilly section" could be seen at the Senjyotsujiki aid station.

The course passes through rice paddies in Hioki, Nagato City, then passes through the Utsuka area of Aburaya Bay and heads for the goal, Aburaya Sports Park.

At the finish line, finishers received medals and were served Nagato City specialties such as yakitori (grilled chicken) and jidori chicken soup.

A one-of-a-kind marathon course with intense ups and downs and a scenic view of the Sea of Japan.
We look forward to welcoming all runners again next time.